AZ eases concealed carry rules

tucsoncitizen.com ^ | Feb. 18, 2003 | PAUL DAVENPORT

[Gunsmith]

PHOENIX - The Arizona House narrowly voted yesterday to reduce the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill (HB2321) was sent to the Senate on a vote of 32-27 - one more than the minimum 31 needed for House passage. Under the bill, violations would be a petty offense punishable by a fine of $50 or less. They now are misdemeanors punishable by up to six months in jail. Supporters said the change would help responsible citizens who carry guns and inadvertently break Arizona's concealed weapons law. Opponents said it would encourage some people who carry concealed weapons to forgo getting permits and hamper police officers who now can seize weapons carried illegally. "The law enforcement folks use that to get gang-bangers off the street," said Rep. John Loredo, D-Phoenix. "That's one of the most effective tools they have to get these guys out of the neighborhood."

[Gunsmith]

Great! law enforcement can still get so called gang bangers for being felons in possesion of firearms. I was in AZ and was carrying open last yr and would have risked a 50$ fine for eating in a bar&grill with my fiancee

[Robert_Paulson2]

the governor will veto this right?
isn't she a democrap?

[goldstategop]

She'll sign it. Cause she wants to get re-elected.

[Gunsmith]

I don't know enough about AZ really,I've only been there
once...enough to want to move there though!

[Robert_Paulson2]

ping me when its got ink on the line.
I will be very pleased to see this one in the bag.

[riverrunner]

A good step first we get CCW permits then we get the law reduce. Then maybe in couple of years they well go Vermont style.