Efforts continue to revive House Bill 1237, which would remove the restriction on Right-to-Carry permit holders carrying their lawfully concealed firearm into a church.
This legislation seeks to correct both an infringement on the right to self defense, as well as an infringement on the rights of churches to establish their own policies relating to their privately-owned property. HB 1237 stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but thanks to the efforts of its author, pro-gun State Representative Beverly Pyle (R-83), the legislation remains viable.
Please continue to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to work with Representative Pyle to pass this important piece of legislation. Committee members can be contacted through the email addresses listed below or via phone at (501) 682-2902.
State Senator Ed Wilkinson (D-6), Chairman
State Senator Ruth Whitaker (R-3), Vice Chair
[email protected]
State Senator Hank Wilkins, IV (D-5)
[email protected]
State Senator Jim Luker (D-17)
[email protected]
State Senator Sue Madison (D-7)
[email protected]
State Senator Jerry Taylor (D-23)
[email protected]
State Senator Robert Thompson (D-11)
[email protected]
State Senator David Johnson (D-32)
[email protected]
In addition, NRA continues to work to ensure the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by State Senator Steve Farris (D-27), which seeks to amend the Constitution of the State of Arkansas to recognize that citizens of the state have a right to hunt and fish. SJR 3 needs as many supporters in the General Assembly as possible, so please contact your State Senator and State Representative and urge them to cosponsor SJR 3. Their contact info can be found here.
Another pro-gun bill, Senate Bill 768, also needs your help. SB 768, introduced by pro-gun State Senator Jerry Taylor (D-23), would remove the ability of local units of government to restrict our Right to Keep and Bear Arms during a declared state of emergency, such as occurred following Hurricane Katrina. This legislation has been assigned to the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee, so please contact members of that committee and urge them to pass SB 768.
State Senator Sue Madison (D-7)
479-442-2997
[email protected]
State Senator Robert Thompson (D-11)
870-239-9581
[email protected]
State Senator Tracy Steele (D-34)
501-374-8788
[email protected]
State Senator Jack Crumbly (D-16)
870-633-7338
[email protected]
State Senator David Johnson (D-32)
501-371-0808
[email protected]
State Senator Cecile Bledsoe (R-8)
[email protected]
State Senator Johnny Key (R-1)
870-425-5200
[email protected]
State Senator Joyce Elliott (D-33)
House Bill 1623, introduced by pro-gun State Representative Randy Stewart (D-23), passed out of the House Judiciary Committee this week, and could be taken up on the House floor any day. This legislation was drafted in response to the invasion of Right to Carry permit holders’ privacy when a list of permittees was published online, and it will make private the personal information of all Right to Cary permit holders. HB 1623 allows for the list to be accessed only by law enforcement agencies for the purpose of assisting with a criminal investigation or prosecution, or for determining the validity of, or eligibility for, a license. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to support this critical reform. Contact information can be found here.
501-568-3917
[email protected]
Finally, House Bill 1215, an anti-gun bill that would dramatically increase the potential penalties a local unit of government may levy for the “unsafe discharge of a firearm,” remains stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Please continue to contact members of that committee and urge them to oppose HB 1215. Committee members can be contacted through the email addresses listed below or via phone at (501) 682-2902.
State Senator Ed Wilkinson (D-6), Chairman
State Senator Ruth Whitaker (R-3), Vice Chair
[email protected]
State Senator Hank Wilkins, IV (D-5)
[email protected]
State Senator Jim Luker (D-17)
[email protected]
State Senator Sue Madison (D-7)
[email protected]
State Senator Jerry Taylor (D-23)
[email protected]
State Senator Robert Thompson (D-11)
[email protected]
State Senator David Johnson (D-32)
[email protected]