Ark. lawmakers mull pro-gun proposals

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Republicans are hopeful that pro-gun measures such as expanding a citizen's right to use deadly force and allowing concealed firearms on university campuses will be embraced by a GOP-dominated Legislature and a governor with strong ties to the National Rifle Association.

The ideas range from largely non-controversial proposals, like a House committee-approved bill to lower the concealed carry permitting age to 18 years old for most active and former military members, to hotly debated efforts to allow guns in places like college campuses and courthouses.

Gun rights advocates experienced an early setback when the House Education Committee rejected a bill to force public universities to allow concealed carry holders to bring their weapons onto campus. Republicans outnumber Democrats 64-36 in the House but share equal representation on the education committee, which tossed the proposal Thursday in a 10-10, party-line vote.

Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville, plans to revive his bill. He said Friday that he might reach out to committee members about possible amendments or create a new bill that would perhaps be sent to a different committee — and maybe one with fewer Democrats.

"Maybe I add in some things expanding concealed carry to other locations that have nothing to do with colleges," he said.

"If it gets on the (House) floor, I'm highly confident it will pass overwhelmingly."

Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, has sponsored a proposal to expand the state's deadly force law to allow people to defend themselves on a property in which they have a "possessory property interest" in, in addition to in or near their home.

Republican Rep. Dwight Tosh of Jonesboro filed a "stand your ground" bill that would expand the legal justifications for someone to use deadly force in self-defense rather than retreating. Tosh said his intention is to protect citizens from civil lawsuits and costly court fees.

"I would hate to think we had a person out there who made a tough decision ... that an individual is able to step up and possibly save a life and could turn around and get sued," Tosh said.

Larry Jegley, president of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association, said the group is unanimously opposed to Tosh's bill.

"There remains concern that the 'stand your ground' title could possibly mislead some people into a misunderstanding of what their legal rights may be regarding the use of deadly force," said Jegley, the prosecuting attorney for Perry and Pulaski counties.

The bills that pass will ultimately land on the desk of Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who headed a NRA committee that studied ways to improve classroom safety after 20 children and six educators were fatally shot in 2012 at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. A Hutchinson spokesman declined to comment on pending firearm legislation. A NRA spokeswoman also did not comment.

House Minority Leader Rep. Eddie Armstrong, D-North Little Rock, isn't surprised by the amount of firearm bills. He said Democrats are more focused on health care and middle-class tax cuts than social issues.

"Well before the session began, members of our caucus had some angst about 'stand your ground' and the abundance of new gun laws that may come out this session," he said. "The reality is we've been sent here to vote and focus on the people's business."