After SEC plea, Arkansas panel advances measure exempting sporting events from gun law

Fighter jets fly over Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium prior to a game between Arkansas and Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Fayetteville.
Fighter jets fly over Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium prior to a game between Arkansas and Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Fayetteville.

LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas House committee advanced a measure to exempt college sporting events from a state law allowing guns after the Southeastern Conference appealed for guns to be banned from facilities such as football stadiums.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the new state law last week allowing concealed handguns at colleges, government buildings, some bars and even the State Capitol.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced the exemption measure Tuesday after it was amended. Under the amended exemption, college stadiums such as the University of Arkansas' Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and the university's Medical Sciences department would be able to designate sensitive areas where they wouldn't want people to carry concealed handguns. To prohibit concealed carry in those sensitive areas, they would have to put together a security plan for those areas and submit it to Arkansas State Police for approval.

Rep. Bob Ballinger told the panel that the changes to the proposed exemption measure were made to address concerns people had with the original bill.

"We took 10 steps forward, and a lot of people weren't quite ready to go that far forward. So now we're taking one step backward," Ballinger said.

Ballinger said that if college sporting events and the medical facilities were going to prohibit concealed carry, then they must demonstrate that they will provide the necessary security.

The National Rifle Association, which supported the expanded concealed handguns law, opposes the exemption measure in its current and previous form.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said the measure signed into law last week by the governor creates concerns for the conference and its member institutions. The University of Arkansas is an SEC school, and Razorback Stadium holds 72,000 people.

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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