Arizona prohibits the possession of a firearm on the grounds of any public or nonpublic kindergarten program, common school or high school, except for use in a program approved by the school, and except by a person who is authorized by the state to carry a firearm (e.g., has a concealed carry permit).¹ The exception for concealed carry permit holders does not apply at public schools, because governing boards of public school districts are required to prescribe and enforce policies and procedures prohibiting weapons on school grounds without specific authorization from the school administrator.² Although private schools in Arizona may allow concealed carry permit holders or others to carry firearms on school grounds, they are not required to allow firearms on their property.³

Arizona limits schools’ ability to restrict the carry of firearms in vehicles on school property in certain circumstances. An adult may carry an unloaded firearm within a means of transportation on school grounds, provided that if the adult leaves the means of transportation, the firearm must not be visible from the outside, and the means of transportation must be locked.⁴ In addition, governing boards of K-12 schools, colleges, and universities may not prohibit a person from lawfully carrying a concealed firearm inside a means of transportation on a public right-of-way.⁵

Arizona administrative regulations govern the possession of firearms on the grounds of state colleges and universities.⁶

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1. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102(A)(12), (C)(4), (H), (N)(4).[↩]
2. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-341(A)(23).[↩]
3. See Op. Att’y Gen. Ariz. No. I16-009 (R15-024) (Sept. 2, 2016), 2016 Ariz. AG LEXIS 9, *1 n.1.[↩]
4. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-3102(H).[↩]
5. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 13-2911(I), (K).[↩]
6. Ariz. Admin. Code § 7-4-102(3).[↩]