Laws protect us when dangerous instruments are involved. This applies to driving a car as well as possession of guns. Arizona law defines a firearm as, "any loaded or unloaded handgun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon that will or is designed to or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," (A.R.S. §13-3101(4)). Prohibited weapons include fireworks, bombs, grenades, and nunchaku (A.R.S. §13-3101 (8)).

Q: Who can own a gun or weapon?

A: Generally speaking, anything that disqualifies you as a voter or a juror, such as conviction of a felony, also legally disqualifies you as a gun owner. This is no coincidence – these three rights and duties are historically and philosophically related. People prohibited from possessing a firearm also includes any person who:

• has been found to be a danger to himself or others;
• has been convicted of a felony and whose rights have not been restored;
• is serving a term of probation for a conviction for domestic violence or a felony offense (A.R.S. §13-3101 (7)); and/or
• is under 18 years of age and does not fall within any of the exceptions in A.R.S. §13-3111(B).

Q: How and where can I do my target practice?

A: There are restrictions about where you can go for target practice, but be careful wherever you shoot a firearm. Local city ordinances should be consulted as cities and towns have the authority to regulate firearm possession in areas developed for public recreation or family activity, such as picnic areas, swimming areas, golf courses, horseback riding facilities, and boat landings (A.R.S. §13-3108).

Q: What is misconduct involving a weapon?

A: According to A.R.S. §13-3102 (A), misconduct involving weapons can include:

• Carrying a deadly weapon without a permit
• Carrying a concealed deadly weapon without a permit in any means of transportation
• Manufacturing, possessing, transporting, selling or transferring a prohibited weapon
• Possessing a deadly weapon if you are a prohibited possessor
• Selling or transferring a deadly weapon to a prohibited possessor
• Discharging a firearm at an occupied structure in order to further the interests of a criminal street gang
• Unless specifically authorized by law, entering any public establishment or attending any public event and carrying a deadly weapon after a reasonable request to remove the weapon
• Possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds
• Selling or giving control of a firearm to another person if you know or have reason to know that the other person would use the firearm in the commission of any felony

 For the entire list, visit AzLeg.gov and search A.R.S. §13-3102 (A).

Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated.  The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here.