HB1694 Summary

• Eliminates prohibition on firearm possession on public school property by removing the ban on persons under 21 years old carrying firearms on K-12 school grounds, school buses, and designated bus stops.

• Repeals Arkansas Code § 5-73-122, which prohibited carrying loaded firearms in publicly owned buildings and facilities, replacing it with new § 5-73-134 allowing firearm carry in publicly owned buildings except courtrooms, correctional facilities, certain hospitals, university sporting events, and the Arkansas Justice Building.

• Repeals Arkansas Code § 5-73-127, which restricted possession of loaded center-fire weapons in specific geographic areas across multiple Arkansas counties.

• Creates limited exceptions to new firearm carry rights including restrictions on federal property, Department of Correction facilities, courtrooms without judge authorization, Arkansas State Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and public college/university sporting events.

• Allows concealed handgun license holders to carry on private school property operated by churches and allows private schools to set policies permitting concealed carry on their property.