Are You Friggin’ Kidding Me, Arkansas GOP?

If you ask just about anyone on the street what they want Arkansas’s State Legislature to focus on, 9 times out of 10 their reply will be something along the lines of creating jobs or improving education or a combination thereof. Or maybe even working to make healthcare more affordable.

Now that Republicans have taken control of the General Assembly what has been their main and obsessive focus? Guns and abortion, guns and abortion, guns and abortion.

Although, some days they go off-script and talk about abortion first and then guns, I guess they want to mix it up sometimes.

Yesterday, I was introduced to a new Arkansas resident by way of Mississippi. He noted that our State Legislature seems to be obsessed with the topics of guns and abortion. When someone from Mississippi says our state legislature is obsessed with guns and abortion that tells you we’ve driven over the cliff.

Republican State Senator Jake Files recently wrote that the Legislature should focus on jobs. But it seems he’s the lone voice in the wilderness.

The latest in Arkansas Republicans fanatical obsession with guns and abortion, instead of jobs and economic development, is HB1408 or more commonly referred to as the Open Carry Law, meaning folks could strap their six-shooters to their hips like they’re in the Wild West. The bill is sponsored by Republic State Rep. Sue Scott and has 21 Republic co-sponsors.

If the bill becomes law, folks can openly carry weapons, just as long as the barrel is not more than 12 inches and will be required to get a license, which is not difficult. Under the current version of the bill, a concealed carry license would automatically be converted to a license to carry a weapon in public.

My initial response to hearing this news was: “Are You Friggin’ Kidding Me, Arkansas Republicans!?” Actually, my initial reaction was more R-rated, but this a family-friendly blog.

I strongly support the 2nd Amendment and I support our concealed carry law, with reasonable restrictions, but how in the world would this bill make Arkansas a better place to live?

Having folks walking around with handguns strapped to their hips will make it appear we’re living in war-torn danger zone where you have to show your enemies you’re packing heat lest they attempt to behead you.

Currently, if you meet the licensing requirements you can carry a concealed weapon to defend yourself if you’re in danger. That is reasonable and all we need. Openly carrying a weapon sets those around you on edge, wondering what you’re exactly planning to do.

For example, convenience store clerks surely will freak out every time someone walks into the store carrying a handgun and wonder if the person is there to rob the place or there to pick up some Coca-Cola? Guess they’ll just have to strap a handgun to hips too. Don’t forget about the bank tellers.

Open Carry supporters point to Oklahoma’s open carry law as an example of how this proposed law may work. I’ve spent a lot of time in Oklahoma visiting now deceased relatives, and I can tell you that is not a state we want to emulate in any way.

Our current concealed weapon law works just fine in allowing people the right to defend themselves. We don’t need an open carry law.

Finally, what do Arkansas law enforcement officials think about this proposed bill? I am curious to hear their reactions.

Arkansas Republicans need to quit fooling around and start focusing on creating jobs.

The good news is they’re making it too easy for Democrats to take back the State House in 2014.