Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Open Carry in Arkansas.’ Guns in Public. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 20 April

Relevant contents

[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]

Open Carrying in Arkansas

Arkansas does not allow a handgun to be carried on or about the person, openly or concealed, if it is "readily available for use with a purpose to employ [it] as a weapon against a person." However, it is a defense to prosecution for a violation of this section if at the time of the act of carrying a handgun, the person is:

- In his or her own dwelling, place of business (excluding a "vehicular business" such as a taxi cab or other motor vehicle used for commercial purposes;2) or on property in which he or she has a possessory or proprietary interest;
- Assisting a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or member of the armed forces acting in the course and scope of official duties pursuant to [their] direction or request;
- Carrying a weapon when upon a journey (However, a firearm may not be carried through a commercial airport at the security checkpoint or in the person's checked baggage if it is not a lawfully declared weapon.)
- Hunting game with a handgun under rules and regulations of the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, or is en route to or from a hunting area for the purpose of hunting game with a handgun;
- In a motor vehicle and the holder of a valid license to carry a concealed weapon…

Last accessed at:
https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/open-carry-in-arkansas/