DRIVER'S LICENSE LINKED TO Handgun LICENSE?

Yes. Your Arkansas driver’s license is linked to your Arkansas concealed handgun carry license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.

Duty to Inform Officer You're Carrying?

Yes/No. Yes for concealed carry permit holders. No for individuals carrying under permitless carry. Concealed carry permit holders have a duty to inform a police officer that they are carrying a concealed firearm immediately upon demand in Arkansas. In addition, when an Arkansas CHCL holder that is in possession of a firearm is asked for identification by any law enforcement officer, the licensee must present his or her CHCL and must also notify the officer that he or she has a handgun in his or her possession. [Ark. Code § 5-73-315(b)(2) and Admin. Rules Dept. of Ark. State Police Rule 3.2]

No. Arkansas does not have a red flag law.

No definition of brandishing was found in Arkansas law. However, a person commits the offense of disorderly conduct if, with the purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk of public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, he or she engages in fighting or in violent, threatening or tumultuous behavior. [Ark. Code. Ann § 5-71-207]

Carry While Using Alcohol or Controlled Substances?

Not addressed in state statutes. As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Non-Resident Permitting?

Yes, but only to members of the military stationed in Arkansas and their spouses. [Ark. Code § 5-7-309]

Yes, the state has preemption over regulating firearms, except local municipalities may regulate the unsafe discharge of firearms. [Ark. Code § 14-16-504][Ark. Code Ann. §14-54-1411(b)(1)]

Public Access to Concealed Carry Registry?

No, however the information is available for law enforcement.

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

Yes. No license to carry a concealed handgun authorizes any person to carry a concealed handgun into any place that is posted, "carrying a handgun is prohibited." A written notice is not required for a private home and any licensee entering a private home must notify the occupant that the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun. [Ark. Code § 5-73-306(18)]

CARRY WHILE BOW HUNTING?

Yes, provided the handgun otherwise lawfully possessed and is for personal protection and is not employed for hunting. [Ark. Fish & Game Commission Regs 05.19] It is unlawful to have a firearm in one’s immediate possession while hunting bear, deer or turkey with archery tackle, except for legal firearms when and where a firearms bear or deer season is open in compliance with 05.19, above. [Ark. Fish & Game Commission Regs 06.05]

CARRY WHILE GUN HUNTING?

Yes, provided the handgun otherwise lawfully possessed and is for personal protection and is not employed for hunting or is a legal killing device under Commission regulations. [Ark. Fish & Game Commission Regs 05.19]

WEAR A COVID MASK & CARRY?

There is no known statute in Arkansas making it illegal to wear a COVID mask while carrying concealed. In addition, the Arkansas State Police made a statement confirming that, “there’s no statutes or restrictions as far as wearing a mask and carrying concealed.”

WHAT ARE THE KNIFE LAWS IN ARKANSAS?

Any knife is legal as long as you don’t intend to use it as a weapon against a person. [Ark. Code § 5-73-120]

HUNTER HARASSMENT LAW?

Yes. It is unlawful to willfully obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of hunting, fishing or trapping. Provided that nothing in this regulation shall prohibit a landowner or lessee from exercising his lawful right to prohibit hunting, fishing or trapping on his land or from exercising any other legal right. [Ark. F&G Commission Regs 05.37]

CARRY/POSSESS AT A HOTEL?

Arkansas statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

STORE IN A VEHICLE IN AN EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT?

It is legal for license holders to store a handgun in a locked and unattended motor vehicle in a publicly owned and maintained parking lot. [Ark. Code § 5-7-122(a)(3)] Although there are specific exceptions, generally, a private employer cannot prohibit an employee who is a licensee from transporting or storing a legally owned handgun in the employee's private motor vehicle in the private employer's parking lot when the handgun: Is lawfully possessed; and Is stored out of sight inside a locked private motor vehicle in the private employer's parking lot. [Ark. Code § 11-5-117]

Yes, when upon a journey (outside of a person's home or property), with or without a license to carry a concealed handgun, except in prohibited places, and provided there is no unlawful intent to employ it as a weapon against a person. [Ark. Code § 5-73-120]

CARRY IN STATE/NATIONAL PARKS, STATE/NATIONAL FORESTS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS (WMAS)?

Yes. However, only an individual with an Enhanced CHCL can carry in buildings that house state offices within state parks (carry is not allowed in buildings in National Parks). See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Arkansas. [Park Directive 3070]

CARRY IN BARS/RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL?

You can concealed carry in the restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol with a concealed carry license, unless posted. However, concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants. [Ark. Code § 5-73-306(12)]

Arkansas gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Arkansas is a shall-issue, permitless carry state with concealed weapons licenses being issued at the state level by the Department of Public Safety.

There is no license, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.

It is now clear that permitless open carry is legal without a license in Arkansas for any person who is at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm. As of October 17, 2018, the Arkansas Appeals Court stated in case CR-18-353 Jamie Taff v. State of Arkansas, “Under the clear language of § 5-73-120(a), the possessor of a handgun must have an unlawful intent to employ it as a weapon against a person in order to make that possession a criminal act.” Some areas are off-limits, including schools and bars.

Concealed carry is legal without a license for anyone that is over 18 who can legally possess a firearm and on a journey (outside of a person’s home or property). Concealed Handgun Carry Licenses (CHCL) are issued to residents at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard and require a firearms training course that has been state-approved. Arkansas offers two types of handgun carry licenses, the CHCL and an Enhanced concealed carry licenses (E-CHCL) which allows for carrying in some forbidden areas such as public colleges, most public buildings, non-secure locations in airports, churches and more. The E-CHCL requires approximately 8 hours of additional classroom and gun-range training. Although Arkansas doesn’t issue non-resident licenses, active-duty military and their spouses may apply for an Arkansas CHCL. In terms of reciprocity, since Arkansas has permitless carry, anyone who can legally possess a firearm may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.

Where can I carry with my Arkansas permit?

Yes

Yes, Constitutional Carry

Yes, Other Restrictions

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Arkansas Concealed Carry License Information

Requirements:

An applicant must:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident;
Be at least 21 years of age or 18 years of age if a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, honorably discharged or National Guard;
Have been a resident of Arkansas for the last 90 days, or be an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces (or the spouse) who submits documentation of his or her active duty status;
Not suffer from a mental or physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun and not have threatened or attempted suicide;
Not have been convicted of a felony, without having been pardoned and had firearms possession rights restored, or have had the record sealed or expunged for a sentence prior to March 13, 1995, or have had an offense which was dismissed and sealed or expunged under § 16-93-301 et seq. or § 16-98-303(g);
Not be subject to any federal, state or local law which makes it unlawful to receive, possess or transport any firearm, and have had his or her background check successfully completed through the Department of Arkansas State Police and the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System;
Not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances or alcoholic beverage to the extent that his or her normal faculties are impaired (further detailed in §§ 5-73-309(7)(B) and (8)(B);
Have read the Arkansas concealed carry law;
Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent;
Not have been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facility (veterans who have voluntarily sought mental health treatment at a mental health institution or mental health treatment facility may obtain a license under this subchapter if a circuit court grants his or her petition under § 5-73-327);
Not be a fugitive from justice or does not have an active warrant for his or her arrest;
Have completed an approved firearms training class;
Not have been convicted of the offense of carrying a weapon within the last 5 years;
Sign a statement of allegiance to the United States and Arkansas Constitutions; and
Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Arkansas.

Lost/Stolen licenses:

You can submit a request for a new license online. The form must be notarized before submittal to the Arkansas State Police.

Application:

Online application

Online renewal

Upgrade to enhanced license

Link to paper applications - new, renewal and transfer

Paper new application instructions

Paper renewal application instructions

Valid For:

5 years

Name/Address Changes:

For change of address, name or other information, complete the Change of Address/Name Notification Form and submit it in the mail or by email to the address listed on the form.

Residency Changes:

Moving to Arkansas and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply? Is your resident permit from your former state transferable to Arkansas? Arkansas issues licenses to residents and members of the military, National Guard and military spouses. You can apply for your license once you have been a resident of Arkansas for at least 90 days, meet the military requirements or if you are a spouse of an active duty member of the military. You can also transfer your previous resident permit by completing the new paper application above indicating Transfer Application.

Moving from Arkansas and have an Arkansas resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Arkansas license remains valid?If a person with an Arkansas concealed handgun carry license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.

Processing Time:

120 days

Non-Resident Concealed Carry licenses:

Yes, but only for members of the military permanently stationed in Arkansas and their spouses. The process is the same as for residents.

Fees:

New license costs for anyone age 64 or younger

Online applications $91.90
Paper applications $88.25

As of July 28, 2021, veterans and active-duty military no longer have to pay new or renewal license fees.

New license costs for anyone age 66 or older

Online applications $66.15
Paper applications $63.25

These costs include the online application and background check fee. Applicants are responsible for obtaining a complete, classifiable set of fingerprints and that cost is not included. As of July 28, 2021, veterans and active-duty military no longer have to pay license fees.

Renewal fees

Online $52.50
Paper $50.00

Includes application and background check fees.

Late Renewals - expired less than six months require an additional $15 late fee.

Licenses expired over six months require the applicant to begin the application process with a new application.

Transfer from another state - $73.25, includes background check fee.

Arkansas State Police Concealed Handgun Carry Licensing Information

How to get a Arkansas Concealed Weapons Permit

Step 1:

Take the CHCL firearms safety class for a CHCL. If applying for an enhanced CHCL, the enhanced training class is also required.

Step 2:

Apply online or by submitting a paper application within 6 months of finishing your firearms safety class and write your confirmation number/order ID on your training certificate.

Step 3:

Have your fingerprints taken at your local law enforcement agency or by a private fingerprinting business.

Step 4:

Submit your fingerprints, training certificate and fee to the Arkansas State Police at:

Arkansas State Police

CHCL Section

1 State Police Plaza Drive

Little Rock, AR 72209

Step 5:

You will be notified if your application has been approved.

Arkansas Self-Defense Laws

Use of Physical Force

A person is justified in using a degree of physical force that he or she reasonably believes to be necessary to defend him or herself or a third person from the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force.

Use of Physical Force in Defense of Property

A person is justified in using non-deadly physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief or the subsequent flight from the commission or attempted commission of theft or criminal mischief.

[Ark. Code §§ 5-2-606, 5-2-607, 5-2-608, 5-2-609 & 5-2-620]

Defense of Premises

A person in lawful possession or control of premises or a vehicle is justified in using non-deadly physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass by the other person in or upon the premises or vehicle.

A person may use deadly physical force if the person reasonably believes the use of deadly physical force is necessary to prevent the commission of arson or burglary by a trespasser.

Use of Deadly Physical Force in Defense of a Person

A person is justified in using deadly physical force if the person reasonably believes that the other person is:

Committing or about to commit a felony involving physical force or violence;
Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force; or
A pattern of domestic abuse.

A person is not required to retreat before using deadly physical force if the person:

Is lawfully present at the location where deadly physical force is used;
Has a reasonable belief that the person against whom the deadly physical force is used is imminently threatening to cause death or serious physical injury to the person or another person;
Is not the initial aggressor and has not provoked the person against whom the deadly physical force is used; and
Is not engaged in criminal activity.

Self-Defense

The Castle Doctrine in Arkansas indicates that the right of an individual to defend himself or herself and the life of a person or property in the individual’s home against harm, injury or loss by a person unlawfully entering or attempting to enter or intrude into the home is a fundamental right to be preserved and promoted as a public policy in the state. As of March 3, 2021 Arkansas has a “stand your ground” law, and there is no duty to retreat before force can be used for self-defense anywhere a person is lawfully allowed to be.

Arkansas Gun Law Updates

DateDetails

2025-03-31

Added non-lethal to Carry Basics section.

2021-10-21

Updated info on duty to inform in At A Glance table

2021-08-02

Updated the definition of journey per HB-1898 in At A Glance table and Summary

2021-08-02

Updated on expansion of LEOSA carry to EMTs per SB-467 in LEOSA Section

2021-08-02

Updated information on the new Stand Your Ground Law per SB-24 in the Summary

2021-08-02

Updated carry locations per SB-573, HB-1598, SB-555 & SB-306

2021-07-30

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

2021-05-17

Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table

2021-03-08

Added information on the new Stand Your Ground Law in the Summary

2020-11-11

Added information on a live-fire training exemption for military in the Training Section

Yes, Selected State:	Arkansas
Yes, Constitutional Carry:	Idaho, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Indiana, Nebraska, Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana, Montana, Georgia, Mississippi, West Virginia, Alaska, Kansas, Florida, Alabama, Iowa, Oklahoma, Maine, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Missouri, Wyoming, North Dakota, Vermont, South Dakota, Arizona
Yes, Allowed to Carry:	Delaware, North Carolina, Nevada, Minnesota
Yes, With Restrictions:	Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania
No, Carry Not Allowed	Oregon, New York City, California, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Washington, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, District of Columbia, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey

Arkansas gun laws & concealed carry reciprocity map

Arkansas Concealed Carry Reciprocity Details

Key Arkansas Gun Laws

Important Concealed Carry Information

Arkansas Concealed Carry License Information

How to get a Arkansas Concealed Weapons Permit

Concealed Carry Locations FAQ

Arkansas Self-Defense Laws