Lawmaker files open-carry gun legislation

— An Arkansas lawmaker is proposing legislation to allow the open carry of handguns in the state.

Republican Rep. Sue Scott of Rogers filed a bill Wednesday that would replace Arkansas’ current concealed carry law with an open carry statute.

The measure, which is backed by 19 other House co-sponsors and one senator, would require the same permitting process as the licenses for concealed carry. Openly displaying handguns would still be prohibited at certain locations, such as government offices, some establishments where alcohol is served, and private property where the owner has expressly forbidden it.

New open carry permits would be valid for five years. Under the bill, the nearly 130,000 concealed carry permits in the state would be automatically converted to an open carry licenses.

Upcoming Events