Governor Brewer Signs Arizona Constitutional Carry into Law
Friday, April 16, 2010
Today, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) signed an important
NRA-backed bill into law, which removes the licensure requirement
for law-abiding citizens who choose to carry a concealed firearm in
the state of Arizona. Senate Bill 1108 passed the state House on
April 8, by a vote of 36-19 with five absent votes and the state
Senate by a vote of 20-10 in late March.
"This is a major victory for gun owners in Arizona, and I would
like to thank Governor Jan Brewer, as well as the primary bill
sponsor, Senator Russell Pearce (R-Mesa), for their leadership in
working to improve the self-defense rights of law-abiding citizens
in Arizona," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA.
"Both Governor Brewer and state Senator Pearce have been strong
supporters of the NRA. The NRA is also grateful to the legislators
who voted for this measure making Arizona the third state in the
nation behind Vermont and Alaska to offer its residents a
constitutional carry option."
SB 1108 replaces Arizona's former law, which required anyone who
wished to defend themselves outside their home to possess a
state-issued concealed carry permit. In Arizona's constitution,
Article 2, Section 26 states "the right of the individual citizen
to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be
impaired." The intention of this language could not be clearer.
Arizona residents will still be required to obtain a permit to
carry concealed firearms across state lines in those states that
have reciprocity agreements with Arizona.
"SB 1108 will enhance the rights of law-abiding Arizonans,"
concluded Cox.
The effective date for this bill has yet to be determined.
-NRA-
Established in 1871, the
National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and
sportsmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its
mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate
enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce
crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm
education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement
and the military.