I live here in Arkansas, and the passing of this bill has been a big subject of discussion for awhile. The main focus of this bill was to define the meaning of the the term "journey". There has always been a journey law here that allows possession when on a journey from your home. The problem was "journey" wasn't defined. A detective friend of mine told me it was always enforced as 25 miles away from your home. In this bill, they have now defined it as outside of your county of residence. The thing is, it doesnt state clearly that it is legal to open carry. they changed other wording that leaves it open to interpretation of being able to open carry or conceal carry without a permit. On the law enforcements side of things, I can see the issue of not knowing if the person you are confronting, that is carrying, is a felon or not. Or do they have negative intentions, ect. At least having requirements for background checks and permits, this helps some. I know it will never prevent everything, but does help. After all, a criminal will do what they want regardless of the law. They have a letter into the attorney general to try and get the bill better defined. Im for open carry, but still think they should require the same training and background checks they do now, and obtain a permit. I personally have my CCL, and even if open carry is permitted, I will still carry concealed. If this new bill isn't better defined before it takes effect, I wouldn't want to be the first person that "tests" its limitations with the police and court system.
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