If you’ve started researching the Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit or AZ CCW Online Course, you’ve probably found a lot of conflicting information.
Some websites tell you that you need to spend an entire day in a classroom. Others insist you have to shoot on a range. Some people will even tell you that online training isn’t accepted.
After teaching Arizona CCW classes for more than 17 years, I can tell you that much of what you’ll read online is simply incorrect.
I’ve trained thousands of students from Arizona and across the country. I’ve even attended other instructors’ classes to see exactly what they’re teaching. Some do an excellent job. Others teach outdated information or misunderstand Arizona law entirely.
Let’s clear up the confusion.
The Arizona CCW Training Requirement Is Simpler Than Most People Think
The biggest misconception I hear is that obtaining an Arizona CCW permit requires a long, drawn-out training process.
It doesn’t.
The most common way to qualify is by taking a class taught by an NRA Certified Instructor who meets Arizona’s training requirements.
Contrary to what many people believe:
- There is no live-fire shooting requirement.
- There is no minimum number of classroom hours.
- The law does not require the class to be taught only in person.
Depending on the instructor, qualifying training can be completed:
- In person
- Live over Zoom
- Through an online course
The important factor is not the delivery method. It’s whether the instructor is qualified to provide training that satisfies Arizona’s requirements.
A Real Example From One of My Students
One recent student perfectly illustrates how convenient the process has become.
At 8:00 a.m. on the Fourth of July, while most businesses were closed and most instructors weren’t teaching, the student enrolled in my online Arizona CCW course.
They completed approximately one hour of instruction, finished the course, and received their completion certificate by email the very same day.
No waiting for the next scheduled class.
No driving across town.
No taking time off work.
Technology has made obtaining an Arizona CCW permit easier than ever before.
The Training Is Only Part of the Value
Many people assume the class is simply something you have to complete to satisfy the state.
I disagree.
The permit may be the reason people sign up, but the education is what matters.
In my opinion, every Arizona CCW class should teach far more than the minimum needed to qualify.
Avoiding Violence Is Always the Goal
One principle I repeat throughout my classes is simple:
Avoid the situation if you possibly can.
Whether we’re talking about verbal confrontations, physical force, or deadly force, getting involved places everything you’ve worked for at risk.
Your freedom.
Your finances.
Your family.
Your future.
A firearm is the last option, not the first.
Understanding Arizona’s Use of Force Laws
One legal concept that is misunderstood constantly is the difference between Arizona’s Stand Your Ground law and the laws governing the use of force.
Many people mistakenly believe that “Stand Your Ground” gives them permission to use force.
It doesn’t.
These are separate legal concepts, and understanding that distinction can make an enormous difference if you ever have to defend your actions.
That’s why I spend considerable time covering Arizona’s self-defense laws, not just reading statutes but explaining how they apply in real life.
The Biggest Mistake New Gun Owners Make
One mistake stands out above all the others.
People buy and carry the wrong firearm.
They choose a gun they’re uncomfortable carrying.
They choose a gun they’re unfamiliar with.
They choose a gun they rarely practice with.
If you’re going to carry a firearm, it should be one you can safely handle, shoot confidently, and carry consistently.
The “best” gun isn’t the one someone on the internet recommends.
It’s the one you can competently use if your life depends on it.
Good Instructors Teach More Than the Law
Arizona does not require every instructor to teach the exact same curriculum.
That’s both good and bad.
It allows experienced instructors to create better courses.
It also means two students can attend two different classes and receive dramatically different information.
That’s one reason I’ve attended other instructors’ courses over the years. I wanted to understand what was being taught, identify gaps, and continue improving my own curriculum.
Experience matters.
Simply reading statutes isn’t enough.
Students deserve practical explanations that help them understand not only what the law says, but how those laws apply to everyday situations.
The Questions Students Ask Continue to Change
Interestingly, the permit itself isn’t always what students are most curious about.
Their questions often reflect what’s happening in the world.
During periods of civil unrest, students wanted to know what they could legally do if large groups entered their neighborhood.
Around holidays, questions often revolve around fireworks, disturbances, and neighborhood disputes.
Political events also influence the conversations we have in class.
The legal principles remain the same, but the situations people worry about evolve over time.
One Benefit Former Students Mention Again and Again
Over the years, I’ve had numerous former students tell me that one of the biggest benefits of obtaining their Arizona CCW permit was during routine interactions with law enforcement.
Many have shared that officers seemed to recognize they had voluntarily completed firearms training and passed the background checks required for the permit.
Several told me those interactions were professional, respectful, and in some cases resulted in a warning rather than a citation.
Of course, every traffic stop is different, every officer is different, and no permit guarantees a particular outcome.
But hearing similar experiences from former students over many years has been interesting.
Regardless of whether you have a permit, treating officers respectfully and following their instructions is always the right approach.
Choosing the Right Instructor Matters
Not all instructors are equal.
When choosing an Arizona CCW instructor, I recommend looking for someone who has:
- Many years of teaching experience.
- Multiple NRA instructor certifications rather than just one.
- A thorough understanding of Arizona law.
- Real-world experience applying those principles.
- A reputation for educating rather than simply checking a box.
I would also be cautious of instructors who:
- Use bait-and-switch pricing.
- Pressure students into purchasing products or insurance they don’t need.
- Spend more time selling than teaching.
- Travel from state to state teaching generic classes with little knowledge of Arizona-specific laws.
This is your education.
Choose your instructor carefully.
Why I Eventually Added Online Training
For years I taught only in person.
Later I added live Zoom classes.
Most recently, I introduced a fully online version of my course.
It wasn’t because I believed online instruction was somehow better.
It’s because it gives students another option.
Some people live hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
Some work overnight shifts.
Some simply can’t attend a scheduled class.
Now they can complete the same course on their own schedule, whether that’s 2:00 PM in the afternoon or 2:00 AM in the morning.
For those who prefer face-to-face instruction, I still offer in-person classes throughout Phoenix East Valley.
Even If You Never Carry a Gun, This Training Still Has Value
One question I occasionally hear is:
“What if I don’t actually plan to carry a concealed firearm?”
My answer is simple.
The legal knowledge alone is worth having.
Arizona’s use of force laws don’t apply only to firearms.
They also apply to everyday objects that can become weapons, including baseball bats, frying pans, or anything else capable of causing serious injury.
Understanding when force is legally justified could prevent someone from making a life-changing mistake.
My One Piece of Advice
If I could leave every student with one lesson, it would be this:
Train the way you’re going to fight.
When people find themselves in a high-stress situation, they usually don’t rise to the occasion.
They fall back on their training.
Good habits developed today become good decisions tomorrow.
Why Students Choose My Arizona CCW Class
After teaching for more than 17 years, I believe students deserve more than the minimum required to obtain a permit.
When students take my AZ CCW online course, they also receive digital access to my bestselling book, Arizona Guide for Gun Owners: Carrying Concealed Firearms to Protect Yourself and Your Home Against Criminals.
The book is more than 200 pages and is also included as an audiobook, giving students a resource they can return to long after completing the class.
My goal has never been simply to help people obtain a permit.
My goal is to help responsible gun owners understand the law, avoid unnecessary confrontations, and make sound decisions if they are ever forced into the unthinkable.
