What sort of weapons are covered by the Arizona CCW permit?
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Loading ...By Doug Little on Jun 2, 2008 in AZ CCW Questions, CCW Administrative Rules, Legal Issues
Question:
(1) Before I take the course, please tell what other weapons besides firearms that the CCW Permit covers.
(2) Can you also please tell me what of these weapons are or are not legal to carry:
Batons
Compact Batons
Blackjacks
Knives and what limits if any, like (A) having brass knuckles built in, (B) automatic knives, (C) length limits
Brass Knuckles
Stun guns
Tasers
Pepper Sprays
It would seem like common sense that if a firearm can be carried concealed, then anything less lethal than a firearm would also be legal to carry. But I’d like to know for sure. From my point of view, if a lesser means of force can be applied to stop an attack, then I’d rather not shoot the person. I may want to pull something like a baton before I get the gun out. I’d really appreciate it if you could help me understand this before I sign up.
PS, I now work in a charity clinic in a rough part of town where there have been attacks; also I worked for 10 years in max and medium security prisons. Maybe somebody didn’t like the way I filled their tooth when they get out of the big house!!
Answer:
The concealed weapons permit relates specifically to firearms or knives with a blade length of over 4 inches. If a knife has a blade length of less than 4 inches it is considered to be a pocket knife and no permit is required to carry it concealed (like in your pocket).
Regarding the other items you mentioned, specifically batons or compact batons, automatic knives, stun guns, tasers and pepper spray, they are all legal to possess and carry in Arizona without a permit. Please understand that Arizona is a more permissive state than most and all of these items are potential illegal outside of Arizona.
For example, carry of automatic knives and batons in California is a felony. As far as blackjacks or brass knuckles, Arizona law is fundamentally unclear. If you were arrested for using them and/or having them in your possession, it would be possible to argue that you were in possession of a ‘deadly weapon’. They are not specifically mentioned in the Arizona criminal codes, so you would pretty much be at the mercy of whatever the trial judge decided. I would probably avoid them for that reason. Additionally, actually using them could potentially cause as much injury to you as the person you were using them against.
Regarding all of the other ‘legal’ items, you would still need to be ‘justified’ in using them, specifically you would have to show that you were being credibly threatened with serious injury, disabling injury or death to avoid being criminally prosecuted. This is something that we discuss in depth during the AZ CCW course itself. I also include a discussion on alternatives to the use of lethal force, which is beyond the standard curriculum and is not discussed by most CCW instructors as they generally do not have the skills or training to treat this topic authoritatively.
One additional thought I would leave you with is this: If you believe you are in danger of serious injury, disabling injury or death, my advice to you is to NOT worry about what happens to your attacker. They will not hesitate to kill you in an instant. If you hesitate, you may be consigning yourself to disability or death. Believe me, they do not care what happens to you. The most effective defense is to fight as aggressively and ruthlessly as you possibly can against anyone who demonstrates the intention to do you serious bodily harm.
I hope this helps…please contact me with a follow up if you have additional questions or visit my website at http://www.armedpersonaldefense.com
Gman | Jun 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m not 100% but I do believe the City of Phoenix has bans/restrictions on batons, blackjacks, and brass knuckles. Don’t forget that each city will have different laws regarding non-firearm weapons.
razorsedge555 | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
According to the book The Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide, by Alan Korwin, the only type of non-firearm weapons ( other than explosives and incendiaries ) which are prohibited are “nunchaku ( a martial arts weapon made of two sticks, clubs, bars or rods, connected by a rope, cord, wire or chain. Nunchaku are not prohibited in lawful martial arts pursuits”.
I was told by some Glendale court employees that long keychains could be considered a weapon as an extension of this law.
You’d probably have to contact an attorney to find out if self defense is a “martials arts pursuit”. I’m guessing you’d have to be enrolled in regular classes to claim this.
However, I agree with the answers given above to your question.
If you take a CCW class they will tell you the circumstances under which you can use deadly force. Remember that prosecutors are elected in this state. Even though this a gun friendly state, if they think they can nail you, they will try. My CCW instructor tried to steer around any questions not involving gun usage. While a regular knife may be considered something regularly carried, something like a concealed 9 inch tanto or a sword might be viewed as something exotic and made for harming people ( not for opening letters or boxes ). Oddly enough, I have heard of other states where a box cutter is considered a tool and not a weapon. If you have some kind of job where a box cutter is used, you might be flying under the radar. Certainly a box cutter is not preferable to a serious combat knife, but it will still cause some serious injuries.