under 21 carry

Question
Hi Doug, I am under 21 and have legally purchased a hundgun through a private sale (in the state of Arizona). I am over 18. I have gone through the state revised statutes but have found it difficult for definitions on whether or not I am prohibity from carrying it non-consealed, and also what laws there are about carrying it in my car (does it have to be in a fully contained case, can I carry it in a holster in the car, if I put it under the seat is it then considered a consealed carry?). If you could help me figuring out how I can legally carry I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer
Andrew,

Regarding your ability to carry your handgun.  It is perfectly legal for you to carry openly in Arizona anywhere you may legally carry a handgun.  You cannot legally carry concealed until you are issued an Arizona CCW after completing all requirements, one of which is to be 21 years of age.

Regarding concealed carry in a vehicle, again because you do not have a permit, you must be cautious regarding carry in your vehicle.  Your firearm must be in plain view, such that the casual observer approaching your vehicle would be able to see you are armed.  Alternately, your firearm can be out of sight if it is "two steps removed from your immediate access".  The reason I put it in quotes is that the law is quite specific in Arizona.  There must be two distinct steps to access the firearm if you don't have a CCW permit.

These two steps might include:  in a case which is in the glove box, in a holster and in the console or any other two step process that must be follow to access it.  By the way, under the seat and in a holster counts as only one step.  Think of having to open something or remove the gun from something two times and you are getting the concept of the law.

I write an informational blog about such issues.  The link to the two posts that I think you might find the most interesting are:

http://arizonaccwpermit.com/2008/05/31/handgun-carry-in-arizona-between-the-age-...

and

http://arizonaccwpermit.com/2007/10/25/carrying-a-firearm-in-a-vehicle/

Hope this helps you out...

Regards,

Doug