Arkansas lawmakers finalize year-long study that could bring changes to state gun laws

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – State lawmakers are finalizing a year-long study on gun laws in an effort to simplify policies for Arkansans.

One significant takeaway from the report is that lawmakers could consider removing the word “enhanced” in reference to the state’s concealed carry license.  That would give concealed carry owners the same rights as enhanced carry owners.

Legislators are also looking into conducting a study on whether people who have been involuntarily committed to mental health institutions could have a path to regaining possession of a firearm.

“Some people are involuntarily committed when they’re younger and they turn out to be great citizens and I have no problem with someone having a second chance in life,” St. Sen. Ricky Hill (R-Cabot) said.

While no Democrats were in Thursday’s meeting, it’s worth noting a few have spoken in the past about their opposition to allowing guns at bus stops.

Lawmakers said the point of this is to ensure no one is unknowingly breaking the law, for example, if their home is considered a bus stop in a rural part of Arkansas and they have a gun on their property.

“School bus stops change all the time,” Hill said. “They change year to year. We’re looking at that and continuing to study it and will see where it falls into place.”

Next, this legislative committee will submit the recommendations to the Arkansas Legislative Council. Then, the full legislative body will decide whether or not to pass them in the 2025 session.

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