Concealed Carry Visitor FAQs

According to the Arkansas State Police, an enhanced license authorizes the licensee to “carry” or “possess” a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of certain locations. Possession is limited to carrying of the handgun on or about the licensee’s person, in a vehicle occupied by the licensee, or otherwise readily available for use. At all times, the licensee must retain the firearm in his or her immediate vicinity (within arm’s reach). A licensee is not authorized to leave the handgun unattended in a separate location for safekeeping or future use, except when the handgun is placed in a locked and unattended motor vehicle in a publicly owned and maintained parking lot as permitted by law.

No. Campus carry is limited to individuals who have been issued an Arkansas concealed handgun license in Arkansas and who complete enhanced certification training of up to 8 hours developed by the Arkansas State Police as required by Act 562.

No. A person must have a valid concealed carry permit and complete the additional enhanced certification training to receive an enhanced permit, in order to be allowed to carry on campus.

Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-306 (13)(B)(v) specifies that storage of concealed handguns is allowed in a locked and unattended motor vehicle in a publicly owned and maintained parking lot.

No. Act 859 prohibits individuals (regardless of certification) from carrying a concealed handgun into a collegiate athletic event, provided the event is a posted firearm-sensitive area under a security plan approved by the Arkansas State Police. The College will be working with the State Police and will submit security plans to obtain approval to have these venues designated as firearm-sensitive areas.

Students, staff members, faculty members and visitors may not display a handgun on North Arkansas College campuses. Handguns must be concealed at all times, barring life-threatening emergencies. If you observe someone displaying a handgun on campus, it should be reported to North Arkansas College Police Department. If you observe someone displaying a handgun on campus in a threatening manner, call 911. 

Generally, yes. However, under Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-309(3), a concealed handgun license is also available to applicants who are at least 18 and (i) currently a federally recognized commissioned or noncommissioned officer or an enlisted member on active duty in the United States Armed Forces; (ii) in the National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces; or (iii) a former member of the United States Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged.

Arkansas has offered a concealed weapon permit since 1996 that allows people to carry concealed weapons in the state.