Arkansas Gun Law Details As widely interpreted, the second amendment of the U.S.
Constitution allows citizens to "keep arms." Even with that type of
protection for gun owners, individual states still have a
responsibility and legal obligation to regulate gun purchases and
possession. Each state has its own set of laws governing firearms.
Arkansas gun laws reflect the strong cultural ties to gun ownership
while still providing for basic restrictions to maintain safety for the
citizens.
Buying and Owning a Firearm in Arkansas In Arkansas, you do not need a permit to buy or own a handgun, a
rifle or a shotgun. However, if you have been convicted of a felony or
determined to have mental incapacity or were ever committed to a mental
facility, you are not allowed to own or buy a firearm. Additionally, it
is against the law to provide a firearm to anyone under the age of 18
without the permission from their parent or legal guardian.
You are restricted from having a gun in your vehicle for the sole
purpose of using it against another person. In other words, it's okay
to transport a firearm to a shooting range or hunting trip but not with
the intention of using it for a crime. You also can't have a gun on any
school or college property or on a school bus.
Arkansas Concealed Gun Laws If you obtain a proper license, you are allowed to carry a
concealed handgun in Arkansas. You'll need to apply for this license at
the State Police offices. There you'll be asked to provide personal
contact information. In addition, you'll be required to submit to a
background check performed by the FBI. You will need to be at least 21
years old and a resident of Arkansas for at least one year. You'll also
have to pass a handgun safety training course sponsored by the Arkansas
State Police.
The same general firearm restrictions apply to obtaining a concealed
carry license. You can not be a convicted felon or certified mentally
unstable person. You can also be denied a conceal carry license if you
had gone through any alcohol or substance abuse treatment program in
the previous three years. You also can't have been convicted of
carrying any type of firearm in the past five years.
Even with the concealed carry license there are still restrictions. You
are not allowed to carry a concealed handgun into any police or State
police station, any courthouse or jail, any restaurant or bar that
serves alcohol, any state office building, any place of worship or any
airport terminal.
Additional Arkansas Gun Laws It is against the law in Arkansas to intentionally remove any
serial number or other identifying mark on a firearm. Also, it is
against the law to own any firearm with those numbers or markings
removed. You can't shoot your weapon across a public road. If your
firearm is considered to be a replica or antique, the same rules apply.
If you intend to own an automatic weapon, that firearm needs to be
registered with the Arkansas secretary of state. You'll also have to
register that type of weapon with the federal government's bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).