Crime in Arkansas is a problem with Little Rock Arkansas being named one of America’s most dangerous cities. (source) That’s why it’s more necessary than ever for law-abiding citizens like you to be able to defend themselves. That’s why I have created this post for you to know what your rights are to defend yourself and what tools you can use to do so in The Land of Opportunity state.
Arkansas Self Defense Laws
There have been numerous attempts to enact a ‘stand your ground’ and ‘castle doctrine’ law in the State of Arkansas, however, they’ve all been unsuccessful. The state does have statutes that law out when force can be used. For example, the criminal code 5-2-605 allows the following people to use force:
- Parents or legal guardians trying to control their children
- Teachers to discipline their students
- A prison warden trying to control their inmates
- A doctor trying to administer treatment to an uncooperative patient
- Someone trying to stop someone else from committing suicide
5-2-606. Use of physical force in defense of a person.
This law states that a person is allowed to use force, but not deadly force, to defend themselves.
(1) A person is justified in using physical force upon another person to defend himself or herself or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by that other person, and the person may use a degree of force that he or she reasonably believes to be necessary.
(2) However, the person may not use deadly physical force except as provided in 5-2-607.
Arkansas Concealed Carry Laws
Arkansas is a ‘shall issue’ state for concealed carry permits. However, as of August 13th, 2013 permits are no longer required to carry a firearm in Arkansas.
Arkansas has a state preemption for most firearms laws. However, localities may enact laws regulating the discharge of firearms, or in emergency situations. Local government units and private individuals may not sue firearms manufacturers or dealers for matters relating to the lawful manufacture or distribution of firearms, except in cases of product liability or breach of contract.
Automatic weapons must be registered with the Arkansas secretary of state, in addition to being registered under federal law.
Arkansas Open Carry 2020
Arkansas respects the second amendment fully. No permit is required to carry a firearm concealed or openly. However, an Enhanced Carry Permit is required if you wish to carry a gun into a ‘sensitive’ area such as a church or school.
Arkansas Enhanced Concealed Carry Law
In 2017, the Arkansas legislature passed the Enhanced Concealed Carry Permit. This permit allows the holder to have a concealed firearm almost anywhere in the state include bars, schools, churches, private colleges, unless there are signs posted prohibiting a concealed firearm.
Requirements to get the enhanced permit:
- Additional 8 hours of training on top of the 5 hours of required training for a concealed carry permit
- Not a convicted felon
- Have a concealed carry license
- Hit the ‘bulls-eye’ superimposed on a silhouette of a human torso — 70 percent of the time.
(source)
How to Register a Gun in Arkansas
You do not need to register your gun in Arkansas. (source)
Arkansas Ammo Laws
- You may purchase bullets online in Arkansas
- Hollowpoint bullets are legal in Arkansas
- No bullets are illegal in Arkansas except those banned by federal law
- Teflon coated bullets, otherwise known as cop-killer bullets, they are called this because they can penetrate many bulletproof vests.
Arkansas Gun Laws for Felons
In Arkansas, possession or ownership of a firearm is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony adjudicated to be mentally defective, or committed involuntarily to a mental institution.
(a)Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section or unless authorized by and subject to such conditions as prescribed by the Governor, or his or her designee, or the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, or other bureau or office designated by the United States Department of Justice, no person shall possess or own any firearm who has been:
(1)Convicted of a felony;(2)Adjudicated mentally ill; or(3)committed involuntarily to any mental institution.
Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm in Arkansas
- It is illegal to discharge a firearm from a vehicle in Arkansas knowingly if it hurts or kills someone.
- It is also illegal to discharge a firearm from a vehicle recklessly
- It is also illegal to discharge a firearm in the commission of a crime
Legal Shotgun Barrel Length in Arkansas
Sometimes a person will saw off the barrel of a shotgun to make the bullets spread out faster. It also makes it easier to conceal. The minimum length for a shotgun barrel in Arkansas is 18 inches. A rifle may not be less than 16″ inches. So be careful with those sawed off shotguns and rifles. A shotgun is considered ‘sawed-off’ if it is less than 26 inches in length.
Is it Legal to Carry a Sword in Arkansas?
You may carry a sword in Arkansas in public unless it for the purposes of harming someone else. You may carry a sword in your own home or on your property. This same law applies to guns, clubs, and blackjacks.
A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if he or she possesses a handgun, knife, or club on or about his or her person, in a vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person.
As used in this section:
(1)“Club” means any instrument that is specially designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious physical injury or death by striking, including a blackjack, billie, and sap;(2)“Handgun” means any firearm with a barrel length of less than twelve inches (12″) that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one (1) hand;(3)“Journey” means travel beyond the county in which a person lives; and(4) “Knife” means any bladed hand instrument three inches (3″) or longer that is capable of inflicting serious physical injury or death by cutting or stabbing, including a dirk, a sword or spear in a cane, a razor, an ice pick, a throwing star, a switchblade, and a butterfly knife.
Pepper Spray is Legal to Carry in Arkansas
Pepper spray (also known as capsaicin spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears. Its inflammatory effects cause the eyes to close, taking away vision.
This temporary blindness allows officers to more easily restrain subjects and permits people in danger to use pepper spray in self-defense for an opportunity to escape. It also causes temporary discomfort and burning of the lungs which causes shortness of breath.
Pepper spray is legal to carry in Arkansas. It’s not listed in Oklahoma’s unlawful law. You can be charged with a crime if you use it offensively. You can get a good deal on Pepper Spray throughout the web.
Related: Best Stun Guns & Pepper Sprays for Women
Personal Alarms are Legal in Arkansas
When you think of a self-defense weapon an alarm may not be the first thing that comes to mind but believe me a personal alarm is one of the best self-defense weapons that you can have! This isn’t an ordinary alarm.
A personal alarm is more produces a sound of more than 100 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer! Trust me when I say it’s shrill and loud. You wouldn’t want this alarm sounding in your ear. Also, causing a scene by making a lot of noise is a great tool to defend yourself against any surprise attack whether it be a mugger or purse snatcher. Read about an old woman whose life was saved by a personal alarm.
Tactical Pens are Legal in Arkansas
A tactical pen is essentially a hidden self-defense tool. What better way to hide a defense weapon other than in plain sight. It can be used for writing, stopping someone by causing a minor wound, breaking things and even breaking glass if you use it well.
The tactical pens were created for people who don’t want to use a gun for self-defense and wish to have some useful things that can potentially become a weapon. You can get the Ape Survival Multi-Use Tactical pen for free here. It’s a screw diver, hexa-wrench, flashlight, and glass breaker, and yes it actually writes. And of course, it’s legal in The Natural State.