"How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!"
Samuel Adams
HB1957/Act 1012
2021
Concerning the enforcement of federal firearms ban within the stateof Arkansas; and concerning state constitutional rights.
SB357/Act 433
2021
Removes the prohibition on the possession of loaded centerfire weapons in parts of Baxter, Benton, Carroll, Conway, Garland and Marion counties.
HB1898/Act 956
2021
To define “Vehicle” as an extension of a person's home; And to define the term “Journey” across all applicable laws.
HB1598/Act 693
2021
TO AMEND § 5-73-122;
And Concerning the definition of
"Facility" as it is used in regard to the
possession of a firearm.
SB467/Act 948
2021
Permitting an emergency medical
technician to possess and carry a concealed handgun without a
license to
carry a concealed handgun.
SB555/Act 809
2021
Concerning the possession or
storage of a person's firearm
when a person leaves his or her
firearm inside of
his or her car in his or her
employer's parking lot.
SB306/Act 638
2021
An act permitting a concealed
handgun licensee to carry a
concealed handgun in a
municipally owned or
maintained park.
SB24/Act 250
2021
Concerning the Defense of a Person
With the use of physical force or
deadly physical force.
SB417/Act 631
2021
An Act permitting a person
convicted of an antitrust violation or other unlawful
business practice to lawfully
possess a firearm under state law.
SB298
2021
Vetoed
To be known as the "ARKANSAS SOVEREIGNTY ACT OF 2021"; Concerning the right to bear arms
in the State of Arkansas;
And concerning other
constitutional rights.
HB1556
2021
Failed
Concerning the locations where
handguns may be prohibited; Concerning age requirements to
possess a handgun;
And to repeal laws in conflict.
HB1362/Act 486
2017
Concerning the rights of a concealed handgun licensee.
Changing the CHCL rules to allow CHCL permit holders to also open carry.
HB1700/Act 746
2013
An Act making technical corrections
concerning the possession
of a handgun and
other weapons in certain places.
4-27-21
The house voted today to table SB298 veto override vote. Hb1957 was voted on to replace SB298.
4-26-21
The Arkansas Senate voted to override the Governors veto of SB298. It is now very important that we contact our Representaives to ask them to override that veto tommorrow in the house! Use the link above to contact your Representatives. They need to hear from all of us. Every email, call, message and text makes a difference. It made a difference today!
4-15-21
The Arkansas House gave final approval to a bill that would take on federal gun control, past, present and future, banning the state from participating in the enforcement of a wide range of acts dating back to 1934. It now moves to the Governor’s desk.
Gary Stubblefield (R) and Sen. Brandt Smith (R) introduced Senate Bill 298 (SB298) on Feb. 8. The legislation would ban any person, including any public officer or employee of the state and its political subdivisions, from enforcing any past, present or future “federal statute, executive order, or federal agency directive that conflicts with Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5, or any Arkansas law” relating to the right to keep and bear arms.
On April 15, the House passed SB298 by a 76-18 vote. The Senate previously approved the bill by a 28-7 vote. It now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk for his consideration.
DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION
The bill includes a detailed definition of actions that conflict with the right to keep and bear arms under the Arkansas constitution and that would not be enforced by state officers, including but not limited to:
-The National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq.
-The Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921 et seq.
-taxes and fees on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services that would have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
-registration and tracking schemes applied to firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that would have a chilling effect;
-any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens;
-any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.
State and local officials found in violation of the law would be subject to a $500 fine for each offense.
The legislation includes a provision that would allow any person or entity that violates the law and knowingly deprives somebody of their right to keep and bear arms as defined by the law to be sued for damages in civil court.
On April 15, the House passed SB298 by a 76-18 vote. The Senate previously approved the bill by a 28-7 vote. It now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk for his consideration.
DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION
The bill includes a detailed definition of actions that conflict with the right to keep and bear arms under the Arkansas constitution and that would not be enforced by state officers, including but not limited to:
-The National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. § 5801 et seq.
-The Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921 et seq.
-taxes and fees on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services that would have a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
-registration and tracking schemes applied to firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that would have a chilling effect;
-any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens;
-any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.
State and local officials found in violation of the law would be subject to a $500 fine for each offense.
The legislation includes a provision that would allow any person or entity that violates the law and knowingly deprives somebody of their right to keep and bear arms as defined by the law to be sued for damages in civil court.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Congratulations Rep Jeff Wardlaw on passing HB 1598 (removing municipal parks weapons restrictions) out of House Judiciary on to the House Floor where it's expected to pass.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Hb1542 Failed in the House Judiciary committee under much controversy.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
SB24 has passed and will become law. The battle for our God given rights is never ending. Gun Owners of Arkansas is proud to have stood against what we feel is a law that creates legal jeaopardy for gun owners, and increases the likelihood of imprisonment for people who, other than their location, are justified in defending themselves from a lethal attack.
Gun Owners of Arkansas believes we have a right granted by our creator to defend ourselves or another person from a deadly threat or violent felony. Unfortunately, SB24 only recognizes that right after you meet certain conditions. Your right to defend yourself certainly should not be determined by location.
Arkansas is among 18 states where no permit is required to carry a weapon. When Florida, which is not a constitutional carry state, passed the original SYG law, Constitutional carry was not considered. We feel that the legislature made a mistake in drafting this law with its lack of a definition of “lawfully present”, that could force law abiding citizens to defend themselves and then worry if they had been lawfully present based upon a prosecutor's interpretation of lawfully present. Also, as a constitutional carry state, it is possible that citizens are unknowingly in a gun free zone, and even if their use of deadly force was otherwise authorized, they could face homicide charges if it was determined they were simply on the wrong side of the street.
Losing this battle does not end the fight for our freedoms. Gun Owners of Arkansas stands ready, as the largest gun group in Arkansas, to defend the ability of all Arkansans to carry a weapon without governmental infringement as prescribed in Article 2, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution, and to defend themselves from violent attack. Losing a battle doesn’t stop the fight. We will not compromise this principle. We will not be deterred. We will always fight for the rights of the people of Arkansas.