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Arkansas Constitutional Carry Laws |
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
Legal information provided is for reference and not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal concerns.
(a) A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if they possess a handgun, knife, or club on or about their person, in a vehicle they occupy, or readily available for use, with the intent to unlawfully use it as a weapon against another person.
History: 2021, №956, § 2.
The Arkansas Appeals Court, in case No. CR-18–353 Jamie Taff v. State of Arkansas on October 17, 2018, stated that merely possessing a handgun does not violate § 5–73–120(a) unless there is unlawful intent to use it as a weapon against a person.
Note: Arkansas clarified the debate on permitless carry in 2023 with the statute below.
(a) The purpose of this subchapter is solely to establish concealed carry licensing for reciprocity in other states that require a license to carry a concealed handgun.
(b) This subchapter does not require a person to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in this state.
You can apply or renew your license online, which is the preferred method by the Arkansas State Police. Visit their website for all necessary information.
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident.
- Residency: Must be a resident of Arkansas for at least 90 days prior to application. This does not apply to:
- Active duty members of the United States Armed Forces with documentation of active duty status.
- Spouses of active duty members with documentation of their spouse’s active duty status.
- Age:
- At least 21 years old.
- At least 18 years old if:
- A federally recognized commissioned or noncommissioned officer or an enlisted member on active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
- In the National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces.
- A former member of the United States Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged.
History: 2019, №1038, § 1.
Fees: Mailed-in and online application fees may differ slightly due to credit card charges. See the Arkansas Fee Chart for current costs.
Application Requirements:
- A properly completed Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License Application form (original, not a copy).
- Nonrefundable license fee and applicable fees for background checks, payable to the “Arkansas State Police.”
- A full set of classifiable fingerprints on specified fingerprint cards (must be in black ink).
- A completed certification of training from a registered firearms safety instructor. The application packet must be received within six months of the training date.
Mailing Address: Arkansas State Police,
CHCL Section,
1 State Police Plaza Drive,
Little Rock, AR 72209.
For status updates, do not inquire until 120 days after submission. After 120 days, you may email questions to info@asp.arkansas.gov.
You can renew your license online by following the directions on the Arkansas State Police website.
If you become a resident of Arkansas and have a valid concealed carry license from a reciprocal state, you may apply to transfer your license to Arkansas.
To carry on public university or college campuses in Arkansas, you must have additional training and an endorsement on your Arkansas License to Carry. This option is available only to those with an Arkansas License to Carry with an endorsement, not for licenses from other states that Arkansas honors. It is recommended to read all of § 5–73–305, § 5–73–306, and § 5–73–322 for comprehensive information.
The endorsement allows carrying in certain public buildings, although regular license holders cannot. The Attorney General of Arkansas has stated that publicly owned buildings that serve alcohol can prohibit those with an endorsement from carrying there by posting a sign.
A license to carry a concealed handgun does not authorize carrying into:
- Any police or sheriff’s station.
- Arkansas Highway Police facilities.
- Detention facilities, prisons, jails, or certain treatment facilities.
- Courthouses or buildings used for court proceedings, with specific exceptions.
- Courtrooms, unless allowed by a judge.
- Governmental meeting places.
- Meetings of the General Assembly.
- State offices.
- Non-firearm-related athletic events.
- Establishments licensed to serve alcohol, with certain conditions.
- Schools, colleges, or university buildings or events, with specific exceptions.
- Airport passenger terminals (unless encased for transport).
- Churches or places of worship, with the option for these places to determine who may carry.
- Places prohibited by federal law.
- Parades or demonstrations requiring a permit.
- Locations with signage prohibiting concealed handguns.
Additional restrictions apply to private entities that prohibit carrying concealed handguns, including private universities, churches, and establishments serving alcohol.
License holders may carry in publicly owned parking lots under specific conditions and on private property as long as the owner does not prohibit it with proper signage.
For further information on specific restrictions and allowances, it is advisable to consult the Arkansas Code or contact the appropriate authorities.
(a)(1) It is unlawful for any person, other than law enforcement officers, security guards employed by the state or its agencies, municipal fire department bomb squad members authorized under § 12–15–204, or state and federal military personnel, to carry or possess a loaded firearm or other deadly weapon in any publicly owned building, facility, or on State Capitol grounds, except as provided in § 5–73–322 and § 5–73–306.
(3) This prohibition does not apply to individuals who:
- © (i) Have a license to carry a concealed handgun under § 5–73–301 et seq. and are carrying or have left the handgun in a locked and unattended vehicle in a publicly owned parking lot.
- (ii) “Parking lot” is defined as an area or structure for motor vehicle parking or a designated school drop-off zone.
- (D) Have completed required training and received a concealed carry endorsement under § 5–73–322(g) and are not in:
- (i) Courtrooms or administrative hearing locations, except as allowed by § 5–73–306(5) or (6);
- (ii) Public schools (K-12) or prekindergarten, except as allowed under subdivision (a)(3)©;
- (iii) Facilities operated by the Division of Correction or Division of Community Correction;
- (iv) Firearm-sensitive areas approved by the Department of Arkansas State Police at:
- (a) The Arkansas State Hospital;
- (b) The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;
- © Collegiate athletic events.
- (E) Are justices of the Supreme Court or judges on the Court of Appeals with a license to carry a concealed handgun in the Arkansas Justice Building.
- (F) Have a concealed carry license and are in municipally owned or maintained parks or recreational properties, excluding:
- (i) Sports fields with ongoing events;
- (ii) Municipally owned or maintained buildings;
- (iii) Leased areas for special events.
16–131–104.
(a) Property owners allowing all nonemployees to carry a loaded firearm are not liable for damages, injury, or death caused by nonemployees using a firearm on or near the property.
(b) Allowing nonemployees to carry a loaded firearm does not imply liability in legal actions against the property owner.
© This protection does not cover intentional or reckless conduct by the property owner.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, except law enforcement officers, on-duty or off-duty, security guards employed by the state or its agencies, or state and federal military personnel, to carry or possess a loaded firearm or deadly weapon in any publicly owned building, facility, or on State Capitol grounds, unless exempted under § 5–73–322, § 5–73–306(5), § 16–21–147, or this section.
(2) Additionally, carrying or possessing a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, is prohibited in the State Capitol Building or the Arkansas Justice Building in Little Rock for anyone other than specified personnel.
(3) Exceptions apply if the person:
- (A) Participates in a shooting match or target practice under the building or grounds’ agency.
- (B) Attends a trade show, exhibit, or educational course on the premises.
- © (i) Carries a concealed handgun under § 5–73–301 et seq. and stores it in a locked, unattended motor vehicle in a publicly owned parking lot.
- (ii) “Parking lot” refers to designated areas or structures intended for vehicle parking or school drop-off zones.
- (D) Holds a concealed carry endorsement under § 5–73–322(g) and is not in:
- (i) Courtrooms or administrative hearing locations, except as permitted by § 5–73–306(5) or § 5–73–306(6).
- (ii) Public schools (K-12), prekindergarten, or public daycare facilities, except as allowed under subdivision (a)(3)©.
- (iii) Facilities operated by the Department of Correction or Community Correction.
- (iv) Approved firearm-sensitive areas at:
- (a) The Arkansas State Hospital.
- (b) The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
- © Collegiate athletic events.
- (E) Is a Supreme Court justice, Court of Appeals judge, carrying a concealed handgun in the Arkansas Justice Building.
(4) “Facility” excludes municipally owned or maintained parks, sports fields, or similar recreational structures.
(b) Certain personnel like law enforcement officers, officers of the court, or bailiffs may possess handguns in courtrooms or courthouses.
© Violation results in a Class C misdemeanor upon conviction.
(d) Off-duty law enforcement officers must possess valid identification when carrying firearms in publicly owned buildings.
(e) Off-duty law enforcement officers cannot carry firearms into courtrooms where they are parties or witnesses in legal proceedings, unless otherwise provided by law.
11–5–117. Possession of Firearm in Private Employer Parking Lot.
(a) Definitions:
- “Parking lot” refers to designated areas or structures for vehicle parking.
- Excludes lots controlled by the Department of Corrections or its contractors.
(b) Private employers cannot prohibit employees from storing legally owned firearms in locked private vehicles in company parking lots, provided the firearm is:
- Lawfully possessed and stored out of sight.
© Employers cannot restrict employee access to company premises based solely on firearm possession in their vehicles, if:
- The firearm is lawfully kept and stored out of sight.
(d) Employers may prohibit non-employees from storing firearms in employee vehicles or deny access if:
- The vehicle’s presence or firearm storage violates company policy or law.
- The employee is involved in disciplinary proceedings, deemed mentally incompetent, or unfit under legal proceedings.
(e) Employers maintain the right to enforce policies against improperly stored firearms in parking lots or to restrict access based on firearm-related reasons.
(f) Former employees leaving after termination or cessation of employment are not criminally liable for possessing firearms in their vehicles in company parking lots during immediate departure.
Note: Refer also to Arkansas Statutes 16–120–802 & 16–118–113 for additional legal provisions.
(a) “Local unit of government” refers to a city, town, or county.
(b)
(1)
(A) Local governments cannot enact ordinances or regulations regarding the ownership, transfer, transportation, carrying, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or components, except as allowed by state or federal law.
(B) This does not prevent ordinances that regulate or prohibit the unsafe discharge of a firearm.
(2)
(A) Local governments cannot sue or recover damages from firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or dealers for issues related to the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition.
(B) Only the State of Arkansas has the authority to sue and recover against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or dealers.
© Local governments can sue manufacturers or dealers for breach of contract or warranty concerning firearms or ammunition they purchased.
©
(1) In a state of emergency declared by the Governor, a local government may enact an emergency ordinance regulating the transfer, transportation, or carrying of firearms or their components.
(2) Such ordinances are limited to twenty (20) days and require a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote by the governing body.
(a) “Local unit of government” means a city, town, or county.
(b)
(1)
(A) Local governments cannot regulate the ownership, transfer, transportation, carrying, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or components, except as permitted by state or federal law.
(B) This does not prevent ordinances regulating or forbidding unsafe firearm discharge.
(2)
(A) Local governments cannot sue or recover damages from firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or dealers for issues related to their lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale.
(B) Only the State of Arkansas can bring suits and recover damages against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or dealers.
© Local governments may sue for breach of contract or warranty regarding firearms or ammunition they purchased.
©
(1) In a state of emergency declared by the Governor, local governments are prohibited from enacting emergency ordinances regulating the transfer, transportation, or carrying of firearms or their components.
(2) Individuals whose firearms are seized in violation of this provision may seek their return through circuit court action.
(a) The Governor’s responsibilities include mitigating dangers to the state’s people and property during disasters.
(e) In addition to other powers, the Governor may:
(1) Suspend regulatory statutes or agency orders to facilitate necessary emergency actions.
(2) Utilize state and local resources as needed to manage the disaster.
(3) Reassign personnel or functions of state divisions and agencies to aid in emergency management.
(4) Commandeer private property if essential for addressing the disaster.
(5) Order evacuations for life preservation or disaster response.
(6) Specify evacuation routes, transportation methods, and destinations.
(7) (A) Control movement and occupancy within disaster areas, excluding members of the General Assembly accessing government seats.
(8) Restrict the sale, dispensing, or transport of alcoholic beverages, explosives, and combustibles.
(9) Arrange temporary emergency housing availability and usage.
HISTORY: 2021, №403, §§ 3, 4
Note: Federal law may apply if the state receives federal assistance. Refer to US Code 42–5207 for federal law concerning States of Emergencies. This excerpt may not encompass the entirety of the state’s Emergency Powers law. Refer to the complete state code on Emergency Powers for more details.
(a) “Local unit of government” refers to a city, town, or county.
(b)
(1)
(A) Local governments cannot enact ordinances or regulations regarding firearms, ammunition, or components, except as allowed by state or federal law.
©
(1) After a state of emergency proclamation by the Governor, local governments cannot pass emergency ordinances regulating firearms or their components.
(2) Individuals whose firearms are unlawfully seized under this provision may seek their return through the circuit court.
Acts 2021, №809, § 3
