Arkansas State Law Summary

Last updated December 14, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Arkansas ranked 44 out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws.

Arkansas does not:

• Conduct its own background checks for firearm sales, but instead relies on the FBI;

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• License firearm owners;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases;

• Regulate unsafe handguns;

• Require firearm owners to report lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement; or

• Significantly regulate ammunition sales.

Local governments in Arkansas generally lack authority to regulate firearms or ammunition, and the state requires local law enforcement to issue a concealed handgun license to any applicant who meets certain basic qualifications.

Based on data published by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, guns originally purchased in Arkansas supplied the 11th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita in 2008. Arkansas exports crime guns at a rate higher than the national average.

For details about specific firearms laws in Arkansas, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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