Arkansas: Senate Passes Concealed Carry License Privacy Bill

AR State Sen. Bruce Holland

Little Rock - Today, the Arkansas Senate passed Senate Bill 131 on a bipartisan vote of 24-9. The bill was introduced by state Senator Bruce Holland (R-District 6) of Greenwood, Arkansas.  The bill would close the loophole that allows general public access to the names and zip codes of concealed carry handgun license (CHCL) holders.

Four years ago this month, in 2009, "Mad" Max Brantley, then editor of the Arkansas Times, capriciously used the Freedom of Information Act and then published the names on the Arkansas Times Blog all of the names and addresses of all the people in Arkansas who had concealed gun permits.  Why - because he could.  Because of "Mad" Max's actions, the  Arkansas legislature reacted quickly and amended its concealed handgun license law to remove the ability of media outlets to publish names and  addresses of license holders.

SB 131 seeks to enact more thorough restrictions. Under this legislation, personal information on license holders would be accessible only as part of an official criminal investigation. SB 131 was heard yesterday in the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, where a voice vote recommended the bill “Do Pass.”

This important protection of the privacy of law-abiding gun owners now goes to the House. Please contact your state Representative and urge her or him to support SB 131. For help identifying your state Representative and their contact information, please here.

Unfortunately, a spokesman for Governor Mike Beebe (D) stated that the Governor opposes this measure.  Contact Governor Beebe and urge him to reconsider his position. Politely remind him that thirty states have already enacted protections for gun owners by classifying personal permit information contained in firearm permits as confidential. Also, be sure to let him know that the public release of any personal information regarding CHCL holders serves no public interest and both exposes law-abiding citizens to potential criminal acts and aids in identifying other citizens who opted not to carry.  All Arkansas  citizens need to be protected (those who care and those who do not) and this bill helps to do that.

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Tags: Arkansas, State Senate, Senator, Bruce Holland, Senate Bill 131, Concealed Carry, privacy, gun rights, Governor Mike Beebe, "Mad" Max, Brantley To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!