Arizona's new Constitutional Carry Law

The new constitutional carry provision signed by Governor Jan Brewer is not the end of the Concealed Weapons permit program in Arizona. While this new law will allow anyone 21 or older to carry a weapon concealed on their person - so long as they are not a prohibited possessor,  (Convicted Felons, most Domestic Violence convictions, minors, crazy people, illegal aliens, etc) - but there are a number of restrictions; and the benefits to obtaining a CCW permit are many.

The new law will NOT allow a person to carry concealed in Bars or Restaurants that serve alcohol or Federal Gun Free School Zones unless that person possesses a valid CCW permit from Arizona, or another state, so long as that person is a resident of the state the permit was issued in. A.R.S. 13-3102 will still prohibit concealed weapons in vehicles without a permit. Furthermore, Arizona's Constitutional Carry right is not recognized by any other state or tribal entity. Constitutional Carriers will also be subject to the NICS background check before they can take their new gun home, CCW permit holders are exempt from the NICS background check.

So, to review, CCW permit holders...

...can carry concealed weapons in their vehicles while in immediate control of the weapon
...can carry concealed weapons into Bars and Restaurants that serve alcohol, so long as they do not drink
...can carry concealed weapons in Federal Gun Free School Zones
...will be allowed to carry in many other states (currently 31, see reciprocity)
...are exempt from the NICS background check anytime they purchase a gun from federally licensed gun dealer

CCW permit holders are also much more educated than the general public about the laws and responsibilities of carrying a weapon. Do yourself and everyone else around you a favor, take the class and get the permit. It's the smart and safe thing to do.