Arkansas: State Senate Passes Church Carry

AR State Sen, Bryan  King

Update - Feb 1, 2012: Arkansas Senate Bill 71, the Church Protection Act, was sent to the full House by the House Judiciary Committee with the recommendation that it pass. This important Right-to-Carry reform bill could be heard as early as Monday, February 4th.
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ARRA News Service - Today, the Arkansas Senate passed Senate Bill 71 by a 28-4 vote, with three senators not voting. This legislation, introduced by state Senator Bryan King (R-5), would remove the absolute prohibition on concealed carry permit holders from being able to defend themselves in any church or other place of worship. If SB 71 is passed and enacted into law, churches and other places of worship will be able to decide if permit holders will be allowed to carry concealed firearms on their property for self-defense.

Sen. Bryan King (R-Green Forest) said it’s an issue of safety, especially for small rural churches. "This is not the type of bill that you're really happy about having to pass," King said after the vote. "It's just in today's society, you know as we see, there's violence and crime in church and it just gives each church the right to make their decisions on how they want to handle security."

Included in those testifying last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee was an NRA representative. The NRA also opposed an amendment, to weaken this bill by requiring places of worship to acquire liability insurance if they allow permit holders to carry concealed firearms on their property. The amendment was defeated in committee.

This legislation now goes to the House, where it may face more opposition than in the Senate. Arkansans are encouraged to contact their state Representative and request their support of Senate Bill 71 in committee and on final vote.

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