Campus gun bill scrapped for more ‘pro-gun’ provision

The Herald - news









An Arkansas senator has filed a new gun bill after a controversial campus carry bill failed to appeal to legislators.











House Bill 1249, a bill that would have allowed people over the age of 25 to carry concealed guns at public universities after they have received 16 hours of training, has been pulled to make way for a less restrictive bill.






Senate Bill 594, introduced by Sen. Linda Collins-Smith (R) has been dubbed the “True Campus Carry Act.” Under SB 594, any individual with a concealed carry permit would be able to carry a handgun on the grounds of a public college or university.





Collins-Smith felt that the bill would allow for more broad appeal among Arkansas legislators.





“You can’t be pro-gun enough in Arkansas,” Collins-Smith told ArkansasOnline.





The Arkansas House of Representatives judiciary committee approved HB 1249 in a 12-5 vote during a Jan. 31 legislative hearing. 





Sen. Trent Garner (R,) a proponent of HB 1249, told the Associated Press Monday that he will be refocusing his efforts on SB 594.





“Rather than trying to re-litigate that bill again, let’s start with this clean bill,” Garner said.





SB 594, in addition to HB 1249, amends a former 2013 bill that allowed college and university boards to vote to opt out of allowing their faculty and staff to carry a firearm. All colleges and universities in Arkansas have voted to opt out each year.





Under the new provision, colleges and universities will not have the option to opt out unless they are located on or within a half mile of a public hospital or presidential library. University faculty and staff members who want to carry guns must obtain an Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License.





State Rep. Charlie Collins (R,) the main proponent behind HB 1249, stated during the hearing that his main intention is “protecting our loved ones on college campuses.”





Several representatives from Arkansas colleges and universities, including ASU System ...


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