CASA GRANDE, AZ — A criminal speed arrest in a Casa Grande construction zone on February 1, 2026, led to the discovery of firearms and multiple arrests after both occupants denied having weapons in the vehicle. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers stopped the vehicle on AZ-387 after observing it traveling at 79 MPH in a 35 MPH work zone. The driver was also arrested for failure to disclose the weapons, according to AZDPS.
Troopers Clock Vehicle at 79 MPH in a 35 MPH Zone
The stop occurred on AZ-387 within Casa Grande city limits. During the encounter, the trooper asked both the driver and passenger whether any firearms were inside the vehicle. Both denied having weapons. However, the driver stated he was trying to get home from work.
Passenger Reveals Firearms in Vehicle
The passenger later contradicted the earlier denial. The passenger admitted that a handgun and a shotgun were inside the vehicle. Consequently, troopers removed both occupants and searched the car.
That search turned up a loaded handgun with three magazines underneath the passenger seat. Additionally, troopers found a 12-gauge shotgun in the backseat. It had been wrapped up in two blankets.
Multiple Arrests Made After Casa Grande Speeding Stop
The driver was arrested for criminal speed, reckless driving, and what AZDPS described as failure to disclose the weapons. Meanwhile, the passenger — who was under 21 years old — was arrested for misconduct involving weapons while underage.
In addition to the arrests, the vehicle was towed and impounded for 20 days.
What Arizona Law Requires When an Officer Asks About Firearms
Arizona is not a proactive “duty to inform” state. The law does not require a person to volunteer that they are carrying a firearm. However, it does require an accurate answer if an officer directly asks whether they are carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
ARS § 13-3102(A)(1)(b) defines it as misconduct involving weapons when a person is carrying a concealed deadly weapon and fails to accurately answer an officer who asks whether they are armed:
“Carrying a deadly weapon except a pocket knife concealed on his person or within his immediate control in or on a means of transportation… when contacted by a law enforcement officer and failing to accurately answer the officer if the officer asks whether the person is carrying a concealed deadly weapon.”
The statute defines “contacted by a law enforcement officer” as:
“A lawful traffic or criminal investigation, arrest or detention or an investigatory stop by a law enforcement officer that is based on reasonable suspicion that an offense has been or is about to be committed.”
A violation under this section is a class 1 misdemeanor under ARS § 13-3102(M).
A separate provision applies to the passenger’s arrest. Under ARS § 13-3102(A)(2), it is misconduct involving weapons for anyone under 21 to carry a deadly weapon concealed on their person or within their immediate control in a means of transportation. That violation is a class 3 misdemeanor.
In this case, the trooper asked both occupants whether firearms were in the vehicle. Both denied it. AZDPS stated the driver was arrested for failure to disclose the weapons. That charge appears to correspond to ARS § 13-3102(A)(1)(b), which applies when a person fails to accurately answer an officer who asks about a concealed deadly weapon. The passenger’s later admission confirmed that weapons were present.
AZDPS stated that this disclosure requirement helps keep both officers and motorists safe during traffic stops.
For a broader overview of Arizona firearms law, the NRA-ILA Arizona Gun Laws page provides a summary of carrying, possession, and disclosure requirements under state statute.
