You might have been to an Arizona grocery store and seen a shopper openly carrying a gun. But is that legal?

Under Arizona law, adults who legally may possess firearms, can carry them openly or concealed in most public places, without a permit, according to Arizona Revised Statutes.

But private businesses, such as grocery stores or other retailers, may prohibit firearms on their property. A.R.S. § 13-3102 makes it a misdemeanor to continue carrying a deadly weapon in a “public establishment” after a reasonable request by the operator to remove it, according to the law.

In Florida, grocery store Publix recently announced that shoppers could now openly carry a gun inside its stores. The change followed a September 2025 decision by the First District Court of Appeal that struck down a 1987 statute banning visible carry.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued guidance declaring open carry “the law of the state” and directed law enforcement not to arrest law-abiding citizens who openly carry.

Here’s a look at what Arizona laws say you can and can’t do at local grocery stores.

What does Arizona law say about carrying guns?

While Arizona law doesn’t explicitly ban firearms in grocery or retail stores, private businesses have the right to set their own policies on whether guns are allowed inside.

Under A.R.S. § 13-3102, a person could be charged with misconduct involving a weapon, a Class 1 misdemeanor, if they enter any public establishment carrying a “deadly weapon” after the operator of the business made a reasonable request to remove the weapon.

State law bars cities, counties and other local governments from enacting their own gun, stricter regulations.

Under A.R.S. § 13-3108, only the Arizona state government can make laws about the sale, possession, carrying, or use of firearms and ammunition. Any local rule stricter than state law is considered illegal, and municipalities that violate the statute can face fines or legal action.

Do Arizona retailers allow guns inside?

Private businesses, including grocery stores, can still set their own policies on firearms.

Kroger-owned stores, including Fry’s in Arizona, asked their customers and associates not to bring firearms inside any company facility, even in communities where local law allowed it, according to a statement from Kroger.

Walmart adopted a similar policy in 2019, requesting that shoppers refrain from openly carrying guns in its stores, after a mass shooting at one of its stores in El Paso left 23 dead.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news and business for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.