Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit Information

On October 17, 2018, the Arkansas Court of Appeals states in the Taff v. State case: In general merely possessing a handgun on your person does not violate § 5-73-120(a) and may be done if it does not violate other laws or regulations.

The statute they reference states: “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 employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person.”

This cements the fact that Arkansas is a Permitless Carry state.

Arkansas is a Shall Issue State, and issues Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses to residents only. Arkansas became a Shall Issue state in 1995.

Arkansas also issues an Enhanced Concealed Handgun Carry License which allows you to carry in more locations than the standard permit.

The Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police issues Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses. There is a Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses page set up with information and relevant links here.

There are two methods of applying for an Arkansas Concealed Carry Handgun Carry License, online or via paper application.

When applying online, first locate an approved instructor and take their Concealed Handgun Carry License firearms safety training class. Then within six months of the date of training, apply for your license online and pay the associated fees. You will be given a confirmation number which you should then write on your training certificate. Then you need to submit a full set of classifiable fingerprints and the training certificate to the Arkansas State Police. These can either be mailed in or submitted in person.

Arkansas State Police
CHCL Section
1 State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, AR 72209

When applying using the paper application, the application process is similar to applying online. You will also include the application and payment along with your fingerprints and training certificate.

The Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police shall issue a license to carry a concealed handgun if the applicant:

1. Is a citizen of the United States or a permanent legal resident;
2. 1. Is a resident of the state and has been a resident continuously for ninety (90) days or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application.
   2. However, subdivision (2)(A) of this section does not apply to any:
      1. Active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who submits documentation of his or her active duty status; or
      2. Spouse of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces who submits documentation of his or her spouse’s active duty status;
   3. Is at least:
      1. Twenty-one (21) years of age; or
      2. Eighteen (18) years of age and is:
         1. Currently a federally recognized commissioned or noncommissioned officer or an enlisted member on active duty in the United States Armed Forces;
         2. In the National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces; or
         3. A former member of the United States Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged;
   4. Does not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity that prevents the safe handling of a handgun and has not threatened or attempted suicide;
   5. 1. Has not been convicted of a felony in a court of this state, of any other state, or of the United States without having been pardoned for conviction and had firearms possession rights restored.
      2. A record of a conviction that has been sealed or expunged under Arkansas law does not render an applicant ineligible to receive a concealed handgun license if:
         1. The applicant was sentenced prior to March 13, 1995; or
         2. The order sealing or expunging the applicant’s record of conviction complies with § 16-90-605 [repealed];
   6. Is not subject to any federal, state, or local law that makes it unlawful to receive, possess, or transport any firearm, and has had his or her background check successfully completed through the Department of Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System;
   7. 1. Does not chronically or habitually abuse a controlled substance to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired.
      2. It is presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses a controlled substance to the extent that his or her faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a treatment facility for the abuse of a controlled substance or has been found guilty of a crime under the provisions of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, § 5-64-101 et seq., or a similar law of any other state or the United States relating to a controlled substance within the three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;
   8. 1. Does not chronically or habitually use an alcoholic beverage to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired.
      2. It is presumed that an applicant chronically and habitually uses an alcoholic beverage to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily committed as an alcoholic to a treatment facility or has been convicted of two (2) or more offenses related to the use of alcohol under a law of this state or similar law of any other state or the United States within the three-year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted;
   9. Desires a legal means to carry a concealed handgun to defend himself or herself;
   10. Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
   11. Has not been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility;
   12. Is not a fugitive from justice or does not have an active warrant for his or her arrest;
   13. Has satisfactorily completed a training course as prescribed and approved by the director; and
   14. Signs a statement of allegiance to the United States Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution.

You must complete a Concealed Handgun Carry License firearms safety training class offered by an approved instructor. This class will consist of a minimum of five hours of instruction and will also include a demonstration of proficiency with the use of a handgun on the firing trans by “live-fire.”

The only military-related exemptions are that Active Duty member of the military must complete the classroom portion of the concealed handgun carry training.

For online applications, the cost for a new license for ages 64 and younger is $142.11 and $90.61 for ages 65 and order. This fee includes the online application and background check fee. The cost for renewing your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License online is $62.80 or $78.25 if the renewal is late but the license hasn’t expired more than six months. This fee also includes the application and background check fee. For mailed-in applications, the cost for a new license for ages 64 and younger is $137 and $87 for ages 65 and older. There will be a transaction fee for credit card payments. The cost for renewing your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License through the mail is $60. If your license is expired less than six months, the cost is $75.

By law, the Directory of the Department of Arkansas has 120 days after receiving the application to issue the license or deny the application.

When applying for an Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License, the Arkansas State Police will complete a state background check and an FBI NICS background check.

Yes. Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses issued after 1999 qualify as a background check when purchasing a firearm in Arkansas.

Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses are valid for five years from the date of issuance.

You can renew your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License online or by using their paper application. You can apply for a renewal 90 days before the expiration date and up to six months after the expiration date. If your license is expired for more than six months, you must apply for a new license.

The cost for renewing your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License online is $62.80 or $78.25 if the renewal is late but the license hasn’t expired more than six months. This fee also includes the application and background check fee. The cost for renewing your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License through the mail is $60. If your license is expired less than six months the cost is $75.

If your name or address has changed, you must complete the Concealed Handgun Carry License Change of Name and/or Address Notification Form. A new license will not be printed unless you complete and submit the Lost/Replacement License Form along with the payment unless you are making this change along with a renewal application.

If your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License is lost, stolen or damaged you must submit the Concealed Handgun Carry License Lost or Destroyed License Replacement Request Form.

Before sending this form to the Arkansas State Police, it must be notarized and submitted along with a copy of the license (if possible), a copy of your Arkansas Driver’s License or I.D. Card and the fee.

The fee for a replacement Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License for ages 64 and younger is $15 and $75.0 for ages 65 and older.

Yes, you can transfer your concealed carry license or permit from another state to Arkansas. You must complete the Concealed Handgun License Application form and select Transfer Application. When mailing in the application, you must also include a check or money order for $72 payable to the Arkansas State Police, two classifiable sets of fingerprints and the original valid concealed carry license or permit which they will keep on file.

Arkansas Enhanced Concealed Handgun License provides an endorsement on your license which allows you to carry in locations prohibited to standard license holders. To obtain this endorsement, you must take an additional training class that is approximately 8 hours long and will include topics not covered in the standard training class.

The locations that an enhanced license holder is exempt from are:

1. Publicly owned buildings and facilities;
2. State Capitol grounds and the State Capitol Building;
3. The Arkansas Justice Building in Little Rock;
4. Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity;
5. Any meeting place of the General Assembly or a committee of the General
   Assembly;
6. Any state office;
7. Athletic events;
8. A portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for
   consumption on the premises;
9. A portion of an establishment where beer or light wine is consumed on the
   premises;
10. Inside the passenger terminal of an airport;
11. Any church or other place of worship;
12. Any place where a parade or demonstration requiring a permit is being held,
    even when the licensee is a participant in the parade or demonstration;
13. The buildings and grounds of a public university, college, or community
    college.

Carrying a concealed firearm in the listed locations may be restricted or
prohibited by other applicable law.

Yes, there are other states that accept Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses. To view the complete list, visit our Concealed Carry Maps.

Yes, Arkansas accepts all other state’s concealed carry permits and licenses as well as non-resident permits and licenses. To view the complete list, visit our Concealed Carry Maps.

Yes, you are required by law to carry your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License on your when in possession of a handgun. The law does state that you can have an electronic copy in an acceptable electronic format, but we cannot find a definition of “acceptable electronic format.”

Only when carrying a concealed handgun are you required by law to present to the officer your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License and inform them that you are carrying a concealed handgun when that officer asks you for identification. If you are not in possession of a handgun at that time, you are not required to present your Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License.

Yes, Arkansas issues Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses to citizens of the United States and permanent legal residents.

Persons with or without an Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License can carry a handgun anywhere in the vehicle. To transport long guns, they must be in plain view or stored in a gun case.

5-73-306. Prohibited places.

Except as permitted under § 5-73-322(g), a license to carry a concealed handgun issued under this subchapter does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into:

1. Any police station, sheriff’s station, or Department of Arkansas State Police station;
2. An Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation facility;
3. 1. A building of the Arkansas Department of Transportation or onto grounds adjacent to a building of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
   2. However, subdivision (3)(A) of this section does not apply to:
      1. A rest area or weigh station of the Arkansas Department of Transportation; or
      2. A publicly owned and maintained parking lot that is a publicly accessible parking lot if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle in the publicly owned and maintained parking lot;
4. Any part of a detention facility, prison, or jail, including without limitation a parking lot owned, maintained, or otherwise controlled by the Department of Correction or Department of Community Correction;
5. Any courthouse, courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by a county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office unless:
   1. The licensee is:
      1. Employed by the county;
      2. A countywide elected official;
      3. A justice of the peace; or
      4. 1. Employed by a governmental entity other than the county with an office or place of employment inside the courthouse, the courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by the county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office.
         2. A licensee is limited to carrying a concealed handgun under subdivision (5)(A)(iv)(a) of this section into the courthouse, courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by the county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office where the office or place of employment of the governmental entity that employs him or her is located;
   2. The licensee’s principal place of employment is within the courthouse, the courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by the county for conducting court proceedings or housing a county office; and
   3. The quorum court by ordinance approves a plan that allows licensees permitted under this subdivision (5) to carry a concealed handgun into the courthouse, courthouse annex, or other building owned, leased, or regularly used by a county for conducting court proceedings as set out by the local security and emergency preparedness plan;
6. 1. Any courtroom.
   2. However, nothing in this subchapter precludes a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon into his or her courtroom;
7. Any meeting place of the governing body of any governmental entity;
8. Any meeting of the General Assembly or a committee of the General Assembly;
9. Any state office;
10. Any athletic event not related to firearms;
11. 1. A portion of an establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
    2. A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter an establishment under this section if the establishment either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
12. 1. A portion of an establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises.
    2. A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter an establishment under this section if the establishment either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
13. 1. A school, college, community college, or university campus building or event.
    2. However, subdivision (13)(A) of this section does not apply to:
       1. A kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school operated by a church or other place of worship that:
          1. Is located on the developed property of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school;
          2. Allows the licensee to carry a concealed handgun into the church or other place of worship under this section; and
          3. Allows the licensee to possess a concealed handgun on the developed property of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school under § 5-73-119(e);
       2. A kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school or a prekindergarten private school that through its governing board or director has set forth the rules and circumstances under which the licensee may carry a concealed handgun into a building or event of the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) private school or the prekindergarten private school;
       3. Participation in an authorized firearms-related activity;
       4. Carrying a concealed handgun as authorized under § 5-73-322; or
       5. A publicly owned and maintained parking lot of a college, community college, or university if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle;
14. Inside the passenger terminal of any airport, except that no person is prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the passenger terminal if the firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking the firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft;
15. 1. Any church or other place of worship.
    2. However, this subchapter does not preclude a church or other place of worship from determining who may carry a concealed handgun into the church or other place of worship.
    3. A person with a concealed carry endorsement under § 5-73-322(g) and who is carrying a concealed handgun may not enter a church or other place of worship under this section if the church or other place of worship either places a written notice as permitted under subdivision (18) of this section or provides notice under subdivision (19) of this section prohibiting a person with a license to possess a concealed handgun at the physical location;
16. Any place where the carrying of a firearm is prohibited by federal law;
17. Any place where a parade or demonstration requiring a permit is being held, and the licensee is a participant in the parade or demonstration;
18. 1. 1. Any place at the discretion of the person or entity exercising control over the physical location of the place by placing at each entrance to the place a written notice clearly readable at a distance of not less than ten feet (10′) that “carrying a handgun is prohibited”.
       2. 1. If the place does not have a roadway entrance, there shall be a written notice placed anywhere upon the premises of the place.
          2. In addition to the requirement of subdivision (18)(A)(ii)(a) of this section, there shall be at least one (1) written notice posted within every three (3) acres of a place with no roadway entrance.
       3. A written notice as described in subdivision (18)(A)(i) of this section is not required for a private home.
       4. Any licensee entering a private home shall notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun.
    2. Subdivision (18)(A) of this section does not apply if the place is:
       1. A public university, public college, or community college, as defined in § 5-73-322, and the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun as provided under § 5-73-322;
       2. A publicly owned and maintained parking lot if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun in his or her motor vehicle or has left the concealed handgun in his or her locked and unattended motor vehicle; or
       3. A parking lot of a private employer and the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun as provided under § 5-73-326.
    3. The person or entity exercising control over the physical location of a place that does not use his, her, or its authority under this subdivision (18) to prohibit a person from possessing a concealed handgun is immune from a claim for monetary damages arising from or related to the decision not to place at each entrance to the place a written notice under this subdivision (18);
19. 1. 1. A place owned or operated by a private entity that prohibits the carrying of a concealed handgun that posts a written notice as described under subdivision (18)(A) of this section.
       2. 1. A place owned or operated by a private entity that chooses not to post a written notice as described under subdivision (18)(A) of this section may provide written or verbal notification to a licensee who is carrying a concealed handgun at the place owned or operated by a private entity that carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited.
          2. A licensee who receives written or verbal notification under subdivision (19)(A)(ii)(a) of this section is deemed to have violated this subdivision (19) if the licensee while carrying a concealed handgun either remains at or returns to the place owned or operated by the private entity.
    2. A place owned or operated by a private entity under this subdivision (19) includes without limitation:
       1. A private university or private college;
       2. A church or other place of worship;
       3. An establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises; and
       4. An establishment, except a restaurant as defined in § 3-5-1202, where beer or light wine is consumed on the premises; or
20. A posted firearm-sensitive area, as approved by the Department of Arkansas State Police under § 5-73-325, located at:
    1. The Arkansas State Hospital;
    2. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; or
    3. A collegiate athletic event.

Arkansas is a Castle Doctrine state and does have a stand-your-ground law.

The General Assembly finds that the current laws regarding self-defense and the use of deadly physical force in self-defense or in defense of another person are adequate in that the law explicitly does not require a person to retreat from certain life-threatening confrontations if a person cannot do so safely. However, the General Assembly finds that there is currently not enough protection from civil liability for a person who rightfully uses deadly physical force in self-defense or in defense of another person. The General Assembly finds that a more robust civil immunity statute is necessary to protect a person from civil damages stemming from an incident when he or she lawfully uses deadly physical force in self-defense or in defense of another person.

Yes, No Gun Signs do have the force of law as stated under Prohibited Places.

“A place owned or operated by a private entity that prohibits the carrying of a concealed handgun that posts a written notice as described under subdivision (18)(A) of this section.”

You may carry a concealed weapon into a restaurant that serves alcohol with an Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License but no other establishments that dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises (i.e., bars). You can also get your license revoked if the department received notification from any law enforcement agency, court, or the licensee that you have been found guilty or have pled guilty or “nolo contendere” to an alcohol-related offense committed while carrying a handgun.

USA Carry always recommends not to carry a firearm while drinking alcohol.

State Parks: Yes – Park Directive 3070
State Forests Yes
National Forests Yes
State WMA’s: Yes – Rules
Road Side Rest Areas: Yes

Please visit our Arkansas Open Carry page for more information.