Legislator presents state bill allowing open carry of handguns
Jack Willems
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: News
When the bill was presented to the Judiciary Committee, the panel had concerns about liability, Smith said. If someone has a gun in a holster, then another person or a child could pull the gun out and start firing it, and the owner would be liable in such a situation, Smith said.
Also, the bill seemed to have no age limit, and some questioned that it would allow people to openly carry machine guns, she said. Smith in particular feared that the language of the bill would allow citizens to carry a handgun anywhere on their person, not just in a holster, she said.
Mark Martin has pulled the bill down to amend it by adding an age limit, he said. Under the new bill, open carry would be limited to those above the age of 21, Mark Martin said. The suggestion that the bill would allow the open carry of machine guns is "ridiculous," he said.
"That's been made illegal," he said.
The legislative session ends April 9, and the Judiciary Committee meets only Tuesdays and Thursdays, so time is running out for Mark Martin to present his bill, Smith said. Martin doubts he will file the bill in time, but he is optimistic that it will eventually become law, he said.
Smith doubts that possibility.
"I don't think Arkansans want this law," Smith said. "We have not seen much support for it."
Last fall, law enforcement officials expressed skepticism at the idea that openly carrying handguns would deter criminals. Though citizens have the right to defend themselves, having the proper training is more important than reaction time in dangerous situations, said Greg Tabor, Fayetteville police chief.
Also, visible handguns may lead to gunfire in road rage situations where otherwise only words would be exchanged, Tabor said.
"I don't think we need to go back to the old West where everyone has a gun at their side," Tabor said.
"Everyone is not going to be carrying like the old West," Mark Martin said. "It doesn't seem to be an issue in places like Vermont."
There are still restrictions on where Arkansans could take weapons, he said. There are 50,000 concealed gun licenses in the state, so people are already carrying guns, Brian Martin said.
"The guns are already here," he said. "Whether or not they are visible is not relevant."
Also, the bill seemed to have no age limit, and some questioned that it would allow people to openly carry machine guns, she said. Smith in particular feared that the language of the bill would allow citizens to carry a handgun anywhere on their person, not just in a holster, she said.
Mark Martin has pulled the bill down to amend it by adding an age limit, he said. Under the new bill, open carry would be limited to those above the age of 21, Mark Martin said. The suggestion that the bill would allow the open carry of machine guns is "ridiculous," he said.
"That's been made illegal," he said.
The legislative session ends April 9, and the Judiciary Committee meets only Tuesdays and Thursdays, so time is running out for Mark Martin to present his bill, Smith said. Martin doubts he will file the bill in time, but he is optimistic that it will eventually become law, he said.
Smith doubts that possibility.
"I don't think Arkansans want this law," Smith said. "We have not seen much support for it."
Last fall, law enforcement officials expressed skepticism at the idea that openly carrying handguns would deter criminals. Though citizens have the right to defend themselves, having the proper training is more important than reaction time in dangerous situations, said Greg Tabor, Fayetteville police chief.
Also, visible handguns may lead to gunfire in road rage situations where otherwise only words would be exchanged, Tabor said.
"I don't think we need to go back to the old West where everyone has a gun at their side," Tabor said.
"Everyone is not going to be carrying like the old West," Mark Martin said. "It doesn't seem to be an issue in places like Vermont."
There are still restrictions on where Arkansans could take weapons, he said. There are 50,000 concealed gun licenses in the state, so people are already carrying guns, Brian Martin said.
"The guns are already here," he said. "Whether or not they are visible is not relevant."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brian Martin
posted 3/27/09 @ 8:26 AM CST
The only problem I have with this article is that I never referred to our organization as Arkansas Open Carry and I'm not sure the last paragraph properly reflects my opinion. (Continued…)
Brian Martin
Brian Martin
posted 3/27/09 @ 8:28 AM CST
The only problem I have with this article is that I never referred to our organization as Arkansas Open Carry and I'm not sure the last paragraph properly reflects my opinion. (Continued…)
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