- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
Some Arizona lawmakers are proposing lowering the age limit for a concealed-weapon permit to 19 for military members.
Although a concealed-weapon permit isn't required for people 21 or older, the permit process still exists, and this new legislation would allow military members as young as 19 to obtain a permit.
See also:
-Arizona's Guns-in-Schools Bill Makes a Comeback
The legislation, House Bill 2103, is sponsored or co-sponsored by 13 Republican legislators.
If a member of the military was honorably or generally discharged before age 21, he or she would still be eligible to get the concealed-carry permit under this bill.
The bill is one of about a dozen firearm-related bills proposed so far during this legislative session, which just got under way last week.
Although Arizona law generally allows people over age 18 to openly carry a firearm, the age is raised to 21 for those who want to carry a concealed weapon.
The need for a concealed-carry permit was removed by legislation that went into effect in 2010.
Send feedback and tips to the author.
Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.