HB 1957 Summary

• Creates the Arkansas Sovereignty Act of 2021 to declare federal firearm restrictions enacted after January 1, 2021 null and void within Arkansas state boundaries.

• Defines "federal ban" as federal laws, executive orders, rules, or regulations restricting purchase, ownership, possession, transfer, or use of firearms, magazines, or firearm accessories; applies to taxes, registration, tracking, confiscation, and possession prohibitions.

• Prohibits state and local law enforcement officers, employees, and agents from enforcing or assisting federal agencies in enforcing federal firearm restrictions that conflict with Arkansas Constitution Article 2, § 5.

• Makes elected officials who knowingly direct law enforcement to assist in violating these firearm rights guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor; subjects other law enforcement officers to decertification for knowingly assisting federal agencies in such violations.

• Allows limited cooperation with federal agencies when the primary purpose is not law enforcement activity related to federal firearm bans or investigation of federal ban violations.