On Monday, January 28, the Arkansas House voted to cut concealed handgun license fees.
That measure was approved by a vote of 74-18. The house bill would cut
Governor Asa Hutchinson has said he will back the bill and supports the cut. Arkansas collected $3.1 million in revenue from concealed carry licensing fees in 2018. The Arkansas State Police receives the majority of income from concealed carry licensing fees.
On the same day HB1036 passed in the house, House Resolution 1013 was introduced. Representative Brandt Smith of Jonesboro introduced the resolution, and is also a co-sponsor of HB1036.
HR1013 was filed to clarify gun rights and to recognize the Taff v. Arkansas ruling. In that ruling, the court of appeals affirmed that Arkansas is a constitutional carry state. -See related story.
Proponent of that resolution, Gary Epperson said, “The House may have voted to cut the fees for concealed carry, however, as the appeals court ruled on Taff v. Arkansas, we are a Constitutional Carry State and no permit is required in state. HR1013 will allow the House to officially recognize it.”
