Carrying a concealed weapon on school grounds in Arizona
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Loading ...By Doug Little on Feb 18, 2009 in AZ CCW Questions, CCW Administrative Rules, Legal Issues
Question: According to this… can a person with a CCW carry on school grounds? Federal Law 18 USC 922(q)(2)(B)(ii)already allows CCW permit holders to possess firearms on school property. SB 1214 proposed changes to ARS 13-3102 to allow adults with Arizona Concealed Weapons permits (AZ CCW) to carry concealed firearms on school campuses, including colleges and universities.
Answer: The questioner is correct in stating that current Federal law does make limited exceptions regarding the possession of a firearm on school grounds. One of those excepts includes persons with valid concealed weapons permits issued by the state where the school is located. It is important to understand that the states have a right to enact legislation that is more limiting than Federal law regarding firearms. In fact, most states do have more limiting laws on the books, particularly in the area of firearms on school property.
In Arizona, it is a violation of state law to have a firearm on school property. There are some limited exceptions relating to law enforcement personnel or persons bringing firearm on to a campus for ‘instructional purposes’ with the permission of the school administration. The only exception for Arizona CCW permit holders is that they may transit the property for the purpose of picking up or dropping off passengers and they may not leave their vehicle under this exception. If they need to go into the school for any reason, current Arizona law requires that they leave their unloaded firearm locked inside their vehicle. The gun must also be out of view to anyone outside the vehicle.
In Arizona, SB 1214 has not yet passed. There is a high likelihood that it will be considered again in the current legislative session, but at present it is not law. That means you cannot carry on school grounds unless one of these very limited exceptions applies to you.
