CCW stands for Carry Concealed Weapon, also known as  gun permit, handgun permit, license to carry, CWP or Concealed Weapon Permit, handgun license, gun license, gun permit or simply a discreet carry license. Currently, about 48 states have adopted some form of CCW law that allows its citizen's (provided that they are not a prohibited possessor, like a convicted felon) to conceal and carry a handgun (or other weapons, depending on the state) for personal protection outside of their home or place of business. Most of these states have CCW laws that are considered "Shall Issue" and they make it reasonably simple for any law-abiding adult to get a concealed carry permit. However, in some states, (like CA) it is still difficult to obtain a concealed carry permit. In all cases, the statistics have proven that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon is a direct deterrent against criminal activity and makes our streets safer. Not knowing if your next victim will be armed can be a scary proposition for the average street-punk criminal.

Many states require that CCW applicants pass an approved firearms safety course before they will be issued a concealed weapon permit. As of July 20, 2011 the law changed in Arizona, and the long standing 8 hour DPS firearms safety and concealed weapon course has been dropped and will no longer be required to obtain a CCW permit. Instead, permit applicants can qualify under one of these new provisions:

1. Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class that is available to the general public, that is offered by a law enforcement agency, a junior college, a college or a private or public institution, academy, organization or firearms training school and that is approved by the department of public safety or that uses instructors who are certified by the national rifle association.

2. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Arizona game and fish department or a similar agency of another state.

3. Completion of any national rifle association firearms safety or training course.

4. Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class that is offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies or other divisions or subdivisions of law enforcement or security enforcement and that is approved by the department of public safety.

5. Evidence of current military service or proof of honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions from the United States armed forces.

6. A valid current or expired concealed weapon, firearm or handgun permit or license that is issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state and that has a training or testing requirement for initial issuance.

7. Completion of any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualification to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties.

8. Completion of any other firearms safety or training course or class that is conducted by a department of public safety approved or national rifle association certified firearms instructor.

After five years the Arizona CCW permit holder is required to renew their permit if they wish to continue to carry a weapon concealed. As of September 21, 2006, Arizona CCW permit holders can renew their permits through the mail without taking any renewal class so long as the permit holder renews their permit on time every five years. See my renewal page for more information on renewing an Arizona CCW Permit...

Since Arizona adopted its "shall issue" concealed weapon law in 1994, there has been a decrease in the number of crimes, especially violent crimes, and that has been the case in all states with similar concealed carry laws. As in many other states, Arizona will issue a permit to any non-resident who qualifies and is not otherwise prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under any state or federal Laws.