Arkansas Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

No.

Yes, for any person who is at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm provided there is no unlawful intent involved.

No.

Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license. The minimum age to purchase is 19 years old.

21.

Arkansas statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

It is legal for license holders to store a handgun in a locked and unattended motor vehicle in a publicly owned and maintained parking lot.

[Ark. Code § 5-7-122(a)(3)]

Although there are specific exceptions, generally, a private employer cannot prohibit an employee who is a licensee from transporting or storing a legally owned handgun in the employee's private motor vehicle in the private employer's parking lot when the handgun:

• Is lawfully possessed; and
• Is stored out of sight inside a locked private motor vehicle in the private employer's parking lot.

[Ark. Code § 11-5-117]

Yes. However, 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). See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Arkansas.

[Park Directive 3070]

Yes. Your Arkansas driver’s license is linked to your Arkansas concealed handgun carry license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

No. Arkansas does not have a red flag law.

Not addressed in state statutes.

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Yes, the state has preemption over regulating firearms, except local municipalities may regulate the unsafe discharge of firearms.

[Ark. Code § 14-16-504][Ark. Code Ann. §14-54-1411(b)(1)]

Yes. No license to carry a concealed handgun authorizes any person to carry a concealed handgun into any place that is posted, "carrying a handgun is prohibited."

A written notice is not required for a private home and any licensee entering a private home must notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun.

[Ark. Code § 5-73-306(18)]

18 years old.

A person commits the offense of furnishing a deadly weapon to a minor if he or she sells, barters, leases, gives, rents or otherwise furnishes a firearm or other deadly weapon to a minor without the consent of a parent, guardian or other person responsible for general supervision of the minor's welfare.

[§ 5-73-109(a)]

No.

Yes. Permitless carry is allowed in Arkansas for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm. 

No.

An applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident;
• Be at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, honorably discharged or National Guard;
• Have been a resident of Arkansas for the last 90 days, or be an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces (or the spouse) who submits documentation of his or her active duty status;
• Not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun and not have threatened or attempted suicide;
• Not have been convicted of a felony, without having been pardoned and had firearms possession rights restored, or have had the record sealed or expunged for a sentence prior to March 13, 1995, or have had an offense which was dismissed and sealed or expunged under § 16-93-301 et seq. or § 16-98-303(g);
• Not be subject to any federal, state or local law which makes it unlawful to receive, possess or transport any firearm, and have had his or her background check successfully completed through the Department of Arkansas State Police and the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System;
• Not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances or alcoholic beverage to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired (further detailed in §§ 5-73-309(7)(B) and (8)(B);
• Have read the Arkansas concealed carry law;
• Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
• Not have been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility (veterans who have voluntarily sought mental health treatment at a mental health institution or mental health treatment facility may obtain a license under this subchapter if a circuit court grants his or her petition under § 5-73-327);
• Not be a fugitive from justice or does not have an active warrant for his or her arrest;
• Have completed an approved firearms training class;
• Not have been convicted of the offense of carrying a weapon within the last 5 years; 
• Sign a statement of allegiance to the United States and Arkansas Constitutions; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Arkansas.

Online application

Online renewal

Upgrade to enhanced license

Link to paper applications - new, renewal and transfer

Paper new application instructions

Paper renewal application instructions

For change of address, name or other information, complete the Change of Address/Name Notification Form and submit it in the mail or by email to the address listed on the form.

120 days

New license costs for anyone age 64 or younger

• Online applications $91.90
• Paper applications $88.25

As of July 28, 2021, veterans and active-duty military no longer have to pay new or renewal license fees.

New license costs for anyone age 66 or older

• Online applications $66.15
• Paper applications $63.25

These costs include the online application and background check fee. Applicants are responsible for obtaining a complete, classifiable set of fingerprints and that cost is not included. As of July 28, 2021, veterans and active-duty military no longer have to pay license fees.

Renewal fees

• Online $52.50
• Paper $50.00

Includes application and background check fees. 

Late Renewals - expired less than six months require an additional $15 late fee.

Licenses expired over six months require the applicant to begin the application process with a new application.

Transfer from another state - $73.25, includes background check fee.

Arkansas State Police Concealed Handgun Carry Licensing Information

Enhanced Concealed Handgun Carry License (E-CHCL)

The Enhanced CHCL requires approximately 8 hours of additional classroom and gun-range training. The training course includes topics such as Arkansas firearms law, the rights and responsibilities of an Enhanced License holder, what to do in an active shooting, and all locations where the carry of concealed firearms remains prohibited. The applicant must also pass a shooting competency test. E-CHCL holders who complete this training course are given a “concealed carry endorsement” by the State Police on their licenses indicating that they may carry on public college and university campuses, as well as certain other "sensitive places," including:

• Publicly owned buildings and facilities;
• State Capitol grounds and the State Capitol building;
• Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity;
• Any meeting place of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly;
• Any state office;
• Athletic events;
• A portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises;
• A portion of an establishment where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises;
• Inside the passenger terminal of an airport;
• Any church or other place of worship;
• 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; and
• The buildings and grounds of a public university/college or community college.

For holders of valid CHCLs, there is a form to complete and an additional fee of $15 to cover the license replacement.

• Carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol? You can concealed carry in the restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol with a concealed carry permit, unless posted. However, concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes, when upon a journey (outside of a person's home or property), 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.​​​​​​ 
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and WMAs? Yes. However, 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).
• Carry at public universities, public colleges or community colleges? Yes, if the person is 21 or over, holds an Arkansas E-CHCL.  Other restrictions may apply. [Ark. Code § 5-73-322]. Note restricted areas in the "Where Can't I Carry" section.

Enhanced Concealed Handgun Carry License Holders (E-CHCL)Possession of a valid E-CHCL enables the holder to possess and carry a concealed handgun in the following locations:

• The buildings and grounds of a public university, college, or community college;
• Publicly owned buildings and facilities;
• State Capitol grounds and the State Capitol Building;
• Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity;
• Any meeting place of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly;
• Any state office;
• Athletic events not related to firearms;
• A portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises unless posted;
• A portion of an establishment where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises, unless posted;
• Inside the passenger terminal of an airport (except for secured areas);
• Any church or other place of worship, unless posted; and
• 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.

Yes, provided the handgun otherwise lawfully possessed and is for personal protection and is not employed for hunting.

[Ark. Fish & Game Commission Regs 05.19] 

It is unlawful to have a firearm in one’s immediate possession while hunting bear, deer or turkey with archery tackle, except for legal firearms when and where a firearms bear or deer season is open in compliance with 05.19, above.

[Ark. Fish & Game Commission Regs 06.05]

There is no known statute in Arkansas making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. In addition, the Arkansas State Police made a statement confirming that, “there’s no statutes or restrictions as far as wearing a mask and carrying concealed.” 

Yes. It is unlawful to willfully obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of hunting, fishing or trapping. Provided that nothing in this regulation shall prohibit a landowner or lessee from exercising his lawful right to prohibit hunting, fishing or trapping on his land or from exercising any other legal right.

[Ark. F&G Commission Regs 05.37]