Arkansas Gun Laws in Plain English
In Arkansas, you can carry a handgun, openly or concealed, without a permit if you are at least 18 and legally allowed to own a gun. You don't need to register your firearms or get a background check for private sales. While you can carry almost everywhere, schools and courts are still off-limits unless you have a special 'Enhanced' permit. You can buy suppressors and short-barreled rifles if you follow federal rules.
Critical: Arkansas Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1Constitutional Carry does NOT exempt you from the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)). Without an actual Arkansas permit, carrying within 1,000 feet of a school is a federal crime.
- #2You cannot carry in a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol for consumption on premises if you are carrying permitless (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-122). Only license holders have a specific exception (unless posted).
- #3Possessing a firearm while using medical marijuana is a federal felony (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)), even though Arkansas state law (Act 462) tries to protect you.
- #4You cannot carry on a college campus with just 'Constitutional Carry' or a standard permit. You MUST have the Enhanced Concealed Handgun Carry License (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-322).
- #5While 'Constitutional Carry' applies to 18+ year olds, federal law still prohibits FFLs from selling handguns to those under 21.
- #6Arkansas has a 'Made in Arkansas' suppressor law, but relying on it without federal NFA registration is a guaranteed way to get arrested by the ATF.
- #7Carrying into a posted 'No Guns' private business is not a criminal offense immediately, but becomes Criminal Trespass if you refuse to leave when asked (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-306).
- #8The 'Journey' exception (Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-120(c)(4)) is largely obsolete due to Constitutional Carry but is still on the books as a legal defense.
- #9You cannot carry in the Arkansas State Capitol without an Enhanced Permit.
- #10Tribal lands may have different rules than state law; check specifically if entering tribal jurisdiction.
- #11If you are a medical marijuana cardholder, you will be denied a purchase at a gun store (FFL) because you must answer 'Yes' to the drug user question on Form 4473.
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.