THE TRUTH ABOUT ARIZONA’S SELF DEFENSE LAWS

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13, Chapters 4 And 31 Are Required Learning For Issuance Of An Arizona Concealed Carry Of Weapons Permit. 

Arizona has very favorable gun laws. Unfortunately, the laws are full of grey areas and are often confusing as related to self defense. To add to the confusion, there is a great deal of misinformation available on the internet and social media. Sadly, bad information and opinions are often passed to students through various concealed carry classes conducted by instructors that mean well, but are simply not well versed in the actual laws of Arizona and how they apply to concealed carry, personal protection and home defense.

Concealed Carry Weapons Misconduct

You would be surprised to learn how many people are carrying concealed and inadvertently breaking the law everyday. Ignorance is not a defense you can hang your hopes on while facing a judge and jury so a clear understanding Arizona’s Firearm Laws is an essential part of being a responsible citizen and staying out of trouble.

Arizona is considered a “constitutional carry” state in regard to private individuals carrying firearms. The phrase “constitutional carry” means that the state’s laws allow eligible residents and visitors to carry firearms in accordance with the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. You do not need to go to great lengths to own or carry a gun in Arizona but obtaining your Arizona Concealed Carry Of Weapons Permit (from a qualified instructor) will arm you with the knowledge to keep you from getting into legal problems.

We recognize the gun laws in Arizona offer residents and non-residents a large degree of freedom, but with such freedom comes great responsibilities. Arizona is not “The Wild West” so there are rules and limitations that apply to the concealed carry of firearms, and violations could lead to severe criminal consequences. You don’t need to pull the trigger to get into serious trouble. The foundation of the Safehouse Defense Program is teaching members the legalities and realities of Arizona’s Self Defense Laws so you can avoid legal problems.

Concealed Carry Rules in Arizona

Any person who is age 21 years or older is allowed to have a weapon concealed on his or her person or in a vehicle. A person under the age of 21 may open carry a weapon, provided that he or she is at least 18. In addition to the age requirements, an individual must also be allowed by law to possess a firearm. “Prohibited possessors” include those who have been convicted of a felony, anyone adjudicated as incompetent or a danger to themselves or others, and individuals on probation, parole, house arrest, or in jail or prison.

There are also limitations as to where you are allowed to carry a concealed weapon. Various statutes address prohibited locations, which include:

• Nuclear power stations and hydroelectric power facilities;
• Polling places during any election;
• School grounds, including the campuses of elementary, middle, and high schools;
• On the grounds of a jail, prison, or any other correctional facility, including juvenile detention facilities;
• Any private establishment or public event where firearms are expressly prohibited. This is most often expressed by posted “no weapons” signs.

Concealed carry in certain locations, such as bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, is only allowed for those who have obtained an Arizona Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP).

Carrying a concealed weapon in a prohibited location without a CWP is prosecutable as a Class 1 misdemeanor in most cases, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. If the location is a nuclear or hydroelectric power station, the charge is likely to be a Class 4 felony. A conviction could result in up to three years and nine months in prison for a first offense. Carrying a concealed weapon as a prohibited possessor is also a Class 4 felony.

Castle Doctrine and Self-Defense

For the purposes of protecting yourself, your family, and your home, Arizona is considered a “Castle Doctrine” state, and you are allowed to “stand your ground.” Castle Doctrine laws are based on the idea that you have the right to be safe in your own home—your “castle”—and you are under no obligation to retreat from your home to stay safe. You also have the right to use force to protect yourself, your family, and your property, in certain circumstances. Understanding these laws and, more importantly, applying them properly while in a self-defense situation is where the real risks come into play. It’s a delicate legal balance that could land you in jail if not handled skillfully.

“Stand Your Ground” laws are similar and apply outside of your home as well. If you are in a place where you are legally allowed to be and are not otherwise breaking the law, you are not required to retreat if another person threatens your safety or assaults you. Great law, but if you can get away, wouldn’t that be a smarter choice?

Under both the Castle Doctrine laws and the Stand Your Ground principles in Arizona, you are allowed to use reasonable force in proportion to the threat against you when it is immediately necessary to protect yourself or others from possible deadly force. However, deadly force is not considered justified simply to stop vandalism, theft or other property crimes. The legally grey words here are reasonable, proportional, immediate and will probably be defined and decided by a jury.

The SafeHouse Defense Legal Concierge Program

As a member of Tim Forshey’s Safehouse Defense Legal Concierge Program, you will have the assurance of an established legal retainer agreement in place to handle any Self-Defense, Accident, Personal Injury or Wrongful Death matter which, unfortunately, could arise in your life. There is, regrettably, no way to eliminate the risk of such events from our lives, but there is a way to minimize the cost of handling them when/if they DO arise.

The Safehouse Defense Legal Concierge Program provides the critical legal services related to self-defense, home defense cases and firearms laws. In the horrific event that you are required to use a firearm in defense of a human life, you will know that our firm, with over 30 years of experience in both legal and practical firearms issues, will be representing you. I assure you, the Second Amendment is at least as important to us as it is to you. The small monthly or annual retainer fee you pay establishes the attorney-client relationship now (before you need it, in an emergency) and allows you to access our firm’s legal services without charge or at drastically reduced rates. This concierge program, where you already know us and vice-versa, before a tragedy, can be invaluable emotionally as well as financially.

How SafeHouse Defense Legal Concierge Program Works

Members of The SafeHouse Defense Legal Concierge Program will have access to an attorney-client relationship with our firm. That means our firm is available at any time for legal consultation and, in the event eligible legal services are needed by the member, representation. If you need us—call us. As a member we can get to work for you right away. No interviews, no hefty upfront retainer fees, no wasted time.

Benefits of Membership

*Self Defense Legal Protection

*24/7/365 Attorney-Answered Emergency Hotline

*Uncapped Attorney Fees for Criminal Defense/ Self Defense and Civil Cases

*Individual and Family Plans Available To Include Spouse And Minor Children

*Free Multi-State Arizona Concealed Carry Certification Classes (38 States including Arizona)

*Discounted Attorney Drafted NFA Trusts And Wills

*Access to Free Members Only Online and Local In-Person Classes, Vendor Demo, Range Day Shooting Events And Discounts On Ammunition, Holsters, Gear, Firearms, Suppressors, Private Shooting Lessons And More.

*Forshey Law legal services also cover members in areas of law outside of firearms and self-defense. Our program includes all types of Personal Injury / Motor Vehicle, Accidents, DUI, Wrongful Termination and Civil Rights cases.

*Personal Injury contingency fees are limited to 25% of any gross recovery obtained before starting litigation and 33% for any gross recovery after starting litigation, instead of our non-member rates of 33% and 40%.

*Provides complimentary “Safehouse Defense” consults (normally $350) to assist in preparing for and avoiding self defense decisions made without foreknowledge.

Minimize the Risk/Expense of Legal Representation

It is far better, and less expensive, to prepare for and stay out of trouble than to try to get out of trouble. We call the implementation of this concept your Safehouse Defense Strategy. This concept will help you fortify your personal, family and home defense strategy before trouble happens. Typical retainer fees for self-protection cases in Arizona start at about $30,000 and at hourly rates of $450 to $600 per hour. Our unique “self-defense avoidance” consults, classes and seminars give you information/advice which will vastly reduce “ignorance of the law,” which, as we all know, is “no excuse.” In the event your prophylactic efforts prove insufficient, your membership limits your financial risk in dealing with the horrific aftermath of your ordeal.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions below. Or, feel free to submit this inquiry form or give us a call at 1-602-691-6900