Gun Owners of Arkansas appreciates the Legislators who took our concerns seriously regarding the vulnerabilities in Article 2, section V of the Arkansas Constitution. Our thanks go out to those who recognized the importance of strengthening these protections and understood the potential for the current language to be misinterpreted or exploited by far-left judges.
Gary Epperson
Gun owners of Arkansas
Current Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5
Article 2, § 5. Right to bear arms.
The citizens of this State shall have the right to keep and bear arms, for their common defense.
SJR11 Proposed ballot initiative amendment to the Arkansas Constitution
To be on the ballot in the next election cycle.
SECTION 1. INTENT OF AMENDMENT. It is the intent of this amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to protect the right to keep and bear arms
guaranteed under the Arkansas Constitution.
SECTION 2. Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5, is amended to read as follows:
§ 5. Right to keep and bear arms.
(a) The citizens of this State shall have the right to keep and bear arms, for:
(1) Their common defense;
(2) Lawful hunting and recreational use; and
(3) Any other lawful purpose.
(b) The right to keep and bear arms under subsection (a) of this section includes without limitation the possession and use of:
(1) Ammunition;
(2) Firearm accessories; and
(3) Firearm components.
(c) The right to keep and bear arms under subsection (a) of this section is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This amendment to the Arkansas Constitution is effective on and after January 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. BALLOT TITLE AND POPULAR NAME. When this proposed amendment is submitted to the electors of this state on the general election ballot:
(1) The title of this joint resolution shall be the ballot title; and
(2) The popular name shall be “A Constitutional Amendment to Amend Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5, to Protect the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.”.