Arkansas: Gun Control Bill to be Heard in Committee

[Charlie T Waite]

Tomorrow, the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 621, legislation that could deprive you of your Second Amendment rights without due process.  Please contact committee members and urge them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 621.

Senate Bill 621 would allow a court to require an individual to surrender firearms to law enforcement or have them seized, based on statements made by a petitioner in an ex parte proceeding -- before any formal hearing with the opportunity to be represented by counsel and present counter-evidence -- and even though they may not have committed or even threatened to commit any unlawful or violent act.  Someone could be stripped of their Second Amendment rights without due process, without being taken into custody for any criminal offense or without being required to undergo evaluation for treatment by a mental health professional.

Again, please contact members of the Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committee and strongly urge them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 621.

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Today, multiple anti-gun bills were filed in the House, including:

House Bill 1940 would require the use of a restraint holster by those who carry a handgun for self-defense.  Self-defense situations are complex and individuals use differing methods of carry and training for their lifestyle.  Creating a blanket government mandate that could potentially invalidate an individual’s ability to defend them self is downright dangerous and all around foolish.

House Bill 1938 would allow a public college or university the ability to prohibit the concealed carry of a handgun on campus by those who are lawfully allowed to do so.

House Bill 1939 would ban almost all private firearms transfers between law-abiding individuals. Gun owners would be forced to pay fees and obtain government approval before selling firearms to friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow hunters, competitive shooters or gun club members. This proposal would have no impact on crime and is unenforceable without gun registration.

These have not yet been referred to committee and your NRA ILA will let you know when to contact your legislators about these egregious bills.