LITTLE ROCK – A subcommittee of legislators is close to finishing its year-long study of Arkansas gun laws.
The study includes a package of bills to clarify the rights and restrictions of owning and carrying firearms.
Arkansas lawmakers overwhelmingly support the Second Amendment. The intent of the subcommittee’s work has been to make it easier to understand the requirements of responsible ownership of firearms. To achieve this goal, the package of legislation would repeal repetitive, confusing or conflicting provisions in current law.
The Legislative Council last year approved the study by its Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee.
Legislation under study by the subcommittee would eliminate the current dual system of granting licenses to carry concealed firearms, and simplify the law by having only one system. Now, you can apply to the State Police for either a “regular” concealed carry license or an “enhanced” concealed carry license. The attorney general recommended going to one system.
A spokesman for the attorney general told the subcommittee that having a “regular” license means little because Arkansas allows permitless carry. Act 777 of 2023 makes clear that a permit is not required to carry a concealed handgun.
Another bill in the study would prohibit cities and counties from enacting gun laws that are more restrictive than state laws.
Lawmakers also want to emphasize the rights of gun owners to carry while on a journey. To avoid confusion, a draft bill under consideration would define a journey as leaving home.
The subcommittee heard from several law enforcement agencies, as well as people who are firearms instructors, hunters and owners of firing ranges. Also providing input were people seeking stronger gun laws near schools.