Arkansas Gun Laws: What You Should Know

Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task you must undertake as an armed American. To help with that, we’ve provided a summary of basic concealed carry laws in Arkansas.

Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Natural State below.

Can You Carry a Gun in Arkansas?

Permitless open carry is legal without a permit in Arkansas for any person who is at least 18 years old and can legally possess a firearm. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and bars.

Concealed carry is legal without a license for anyone over the age of 18 who can legally possess a firearm and is on a journey (outside of a person’s home or property).

Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit

Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses (CHCL) are issued to residents at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. CHCLs require a firearms training course that has been state-approved.

Arkansas offers two types of handgun carry licenses:

1. CHCL (Concealed Handgun Carry License) – Standard concealed carry license
2. E-CHCL (Enhanced Concealed Carry License) – Allows carrying in some forbidden areas such as public colleges, most public buildings, non-secure locations in airports, churches and more

Although Arkansas doesn’t issue non-resident licenses, active-duty military and their spouses may apply for an Arkansas CHCL.

Currently, the initial permit fee structure in Arkansas is complex, with different costs for online and mail-in applications based on age. Online new licenses are $92 for anyone age 64 or younger and $66 for renewals and new applicants who are 65 or older. These costs include the online application and background check fee.

Applicants are responsible for obtaining a complete, classifiable set of fingerprints. That cost is not included.

Stand Your Ground

As of March 3, 2021 Arkansas has a “stand your ground” law. There is no duty to retreat before force can be used for self-defense anywhere a person is lawfully allowed to be.

Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements

There is no permit required to purchase a handgun in Arkansas. Private firearms transfers are not subject to a background check requirement, although federal and state purchaser prohibitions, including age restrictions, still apply.

There is no firearms registration or waiting period when buying a handgun. There are no magazine-capacity or ammunition restrictions.

Arkansas does not require the registration of firearms. In addition, no permit is required to purchase a handgun. A background check is required to be completed by a federally licensed firearms dealer for anyone who doesn’t have an Arkansas Firearm Permit.

Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons

Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit for anyone at least 19 years old.

It is also legal to possess a small container of tear gas or pepper spray to be used for self-defense purposes only. However, the capacity of the cartridge or container cannot exceed 300ml (10 ounces).

Where Can One Carry Concealed in Arkansas?

Understanding where you can and cannot carry a firearm is crucial for staying compliant with Arkansas’ gun laws. The state has specific locations where carrying a concealed handgun is allowed and places where it is strictly prohibited, even for permit holders.

Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure you are always carrying legally and responsibly.

Areas Where Concealed Carry Is Allowed (For Permit Holders)

Some areas where concealed carry is allowed for concealed carry permit holders include:

1. The restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol, unless posted
   – Concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants
2. State/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas
   – Only an individual with an Enhanced CHCL can carry in buildings that house state offices within state parks
   – Carry is not allowed in buildings in National Parks
3. Roadside rest areas

Locations Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited (Even For Permit Holders)

Locations where concealed carry is prohibited, even for permit holders include:

1. Public K-12 schools (permittees may possess and store firearms in their vehicles in parking lots, however), school buses or school bus stops
2. Posted firearms-sensitive areas at the Arkansas State Hospital and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
3. University of Arkansas athletic events and venues, the Jean Tyson Child Development Center and Ella’s
4. Police, sheriff, Arkansas State Police or Arkansas Highway Police offices
5. Buildings of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department or grounds adjacent to such buildings (except rest areas, weigh stations and public parking areas)
6. Detention facilities, prisons or jails
7. Courthouses or courtrooms
8. Any meeting place of “the governing body of any governmental entity” or any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof
9. Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly
10. State offices
11. Athletic events not related to firearms competition in which the license holder is participating
12. Any portion of an establishment, except a restaurant, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises or where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises
13. Inside the passenger terminal of any airport (unless the handgun is encased for shipment by lawful transportation)
14. Churches or other places of worship (unless the head of the place of worship has given permission)
15. Any place where a property owner or manager has exercised discretion to prohibit the possession of a firearm
16. Participating in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is required
17. At a private residence without having first advised the occupants that the license holder is carrying a concealed weapon and received permission to carry the handgun
18. Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

Enhanced CHCL Additional Carry Locations

However, possession of a valid E-CHCL enables the holder to possess and carry a concealed handgun in the following locations:

1. Buildings and grounds of a public university, college or community college
2. Publicly owned buildings and facilities
3. State Capitol grounds and the State Capitol building
4. Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity
5. Any meeting place of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly
6. State offices
7. Athletic events
8. A portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises
9. A portion of an establishment where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises
10. Inside the passenger terminal of an airport
11. Churches or other places of worship
12. Any place where a parade or demonstration requiring a permit is being held, even when the licensee is a participant in the parade or demonstration

Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Arkansas?

Concealed carry is allowed in a vehicle when upon a journey beyond the county in which a person lives, with or without a license to carry a concealed handgun, except in prohibited places and provided there is no unlawful intent to employ it as a weapon against a person.

There is a duty to inform a law enforcement officer upon contact if an individual is carrying a concealed firearm.

Ready to Learn More About Arkansas Gun Laws?

It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity & Gun Laws Map has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you.

To learn more about Arkansas’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit the Arkansas gun laws page now…

The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Laws are constantly changing, and, as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.