SB1591

THE CONTEXT: A.R.S. 13-3112 governs the issuance, suspension, revocation and recognition of CCWs. DPS must issue a permit to applicants who meet specific eligibility criteria, including age, citizenship, lack of disqualifying criminal or mental health history and proof of firearms competence. A CCW is valid for five years at a time. It must be carried when legally required, and failure to present it upon request by law enforcement may result in a civil penalty and temporary suspension. DPS maintains a secure computerized system for law enforcement to verify CCW status and reports annually on CCW statistics. Arizona also recognizes out-of-state CCWs if the issuing state reciprocates and the holder meets Arizona's legal standards. DPS is authorized to charge fees for the issuance and renewal of CCWs; fees are deposited into a dedicated fund to administer the cost of the CCW permitting process and to pay for DPS operating expenses ( A.R.S. 41-1722 ). The current fee for an initial CCW application is $60, and the current fee for a renewal application is $43 ( DPS, Concealed Weapons Permit Unit ).

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would instruct DPS to charge a separate fee for resident and non-resident CCW permitting; the resident fee must be 10% of fee charged to non-residents.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for concealed weapons permits into an enforceable rule. It would instruct DPS to charge a separate fee for resident and non-resident CCW permitting; the resident fee must be 10% of fee charged to non-residents, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.