Today, the Arkansas Senate successfully extracted House Bill 1249 from the Senate Judiciary Committee, amended the bill with the NRA-supported Hendren amendment, and passed HB 1249 with an 18-9 vote! HB 1249 will now go back to the House of Representatives, where it will likely be assigned to the House Judiciary Committee prior to going before the full House for concurrence. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 1249, as amended. Also, contact your state Representative and urge them to concur on this important legislation!

HB 1249, as amended, would establish an enhanced carry permit that will greatly expand where permit holders may lawfully carry firearms for personal protection. NRA considers this amendment to be its primary legislative goal for Arkansas this year, as it would enact a strong enhanced carry permit system.

First and foremost, the enhanced permit will allow for carrying on public college and university campuses, without the unnecessary prohibited areas that had caused concern with the original version of HB 1249. The enhanced permit will also allow for the lawful carrying of a concealed firearm in many places that are currently prohibited under the existing permit system, including the State Capitol, and in areas of restaurants where alcohol is served, to name a few. As amended, HB 1249 does not contain the unacceptable age restriction of being only applicable to those who are at least 25 years old. If you can qualify for the current permit, you can qualify for the enhanced permit. While additional training of up to eight hours is a component of the enhanced permit, current licensees may waive up to four hours of that training, due to the training they have already received.

Again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and your state Representative in support of the amended version of HB 1249! Stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates on this bill.