Yesterday, Senate Bill 71, the Church Protection Act, was sent to the full House by the House Judiciary Committee with the recommendation that it pass. This important Right-to-Carry reform bill could be heard as early as Monday, February 4.
This legislation, introduced by state Senator Bryan King (R-5), passed in the Arkansas Senate and the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. SB 71 would remove the absolute prohibition on concealed carry permit holders from being able to defend themselves in any church or other place of worship. If SB 71 is passed and enacted into law, churches and other places of worship will be able to decide if permit holders will be allowed to carry concealed firearms on their property for self-defense.
Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support Senate Bill 71 when it is brought up for consideration.
Also moving in the Arkansas legislature is Senate Bill 131. Introduced by state Senator Bruce Holland (R-9), SB 131 has been referred to the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs. This legislation would close the loophole that allows media outlets to publish the names and zip codes of concealed carry handgun licenses (CHCL) holders. In 2009, Arkansas amended its concealed handgun license law to remove the ability of media outlets to publish names AND addresses of license holders. However, SB 131 seeks to enact more thorough restrictions. Under this legislation, personal information on license holders would be accessible only as part of an official criminal investigation.
Please contact members of the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Government Affairs and urge them to support SB 131 when it is brought up for consideration.
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