8/17: Arkansas Concealed Carry Course CHCL CCW

Please call to reserve your spot today! 479-474-1680 or email – visit http://www.thortraining.com/arkansas-concealed-carry-course/ or email [email protected] 

Arkansas Concealed Carry Course Available Saturday morning 9am

Act 746 of 2013 — Moves defenses to certain "carrying of weapon" law to exceptions in ACA §5-73-120. This Act defines "journey" to be travel beyond the county in which the person lives. This Act defines "knife" as three inches or longer. This Act allows CHCL holders to possess a concealed handgun if they have a valid license and are not in a prohibited place. This Act becomes effective on approximately August 16, 2013.

With the law change under this Act, do I really need a CHCL? If you are always "at home" or on a "journey outside the county in which you reside" (which is a question of fact determined at the time of contact with law enforcement) and never travel outside of Arkansas, then you are correct, a person may not need a CHCL. However, if you travel inside the county or to another state and you want to carry a handgun, you will need a concealed handgun carry license. 

Does this Act allow "open carry" of a handgun? If the previous "carrying a weapon" law did not allow "open carry" of a handgun, then there are no changes in the law that would allow open carry. This law changes what the title states, made "technical corrections"; such as moving the items (such as journey and having a CHCL) from defenses to exceptions. NOTE: in our opinion, "journey" does not mean you can open carry when you are in another county. That means your may possess a firearm in your vehicle (or other mode of transportation) beyond your county listed as your residence on your driver' license. But once you arrive at your destination (end of your journey), the only way you can carry a handgun legally is concealed with a valid CHCL.

*The only "open carry" bill this session was the "open carry with a license" bill by Rep Sue Scott (HB 1408) and that bill failed in House Judiciary Committee.

Act 1089 of 2013 — Changes the CHCL reciprocity law to "A person in possession of a valid license to carry a concealed handgun issued to the person by another state is entitled to the privileges and subject to the restrictions prescribed by this subchapter". This Act deletes the provision that gives ASP the authority to determine reciprocity with other states. Under this Act ASP is no longer required or authorized to create or issue a list of reciprocal states. Arkansas CHCL holders traveling to another state with their handgun will need to check with that state to see if that state will honor their Arkansas concealed handgun carry license. Under this Act "transfer" applications will be accepted from any state that issues a CHCL. This Act becomes effective on approximately August 16, 2013.