A bill filed in Arkansas would eliminate gun-free zones and repeal laws in conflict. The measure was filed by State Sen. Gary Stubblefield in conjunction with Representative Womack. The push was dropped last Tuesday, March 19 after facing opposition.
The intent of the legislation was to increase public safety. The bill would amend Arkansas Code to allow possession of a firearm on publicly owned, leased, or rented building or facility, on public land, on public roadways, and on public sidewalks.
Firearms would still not be prohibited in areas made illegal by federal law; in facilities operated by the Dept. of Corrections, the Department of Community Correction, the Division of Youth Services; in a courtroom; a county jail; at public university sporting events; in the Arkansas State Hospital; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; or the Arkansas Justice Building.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not support the bill in its current form.
Read the full bill here.
