Arkansas CCW Reciprocity Map
States that Honor Arkansas's CCW Permit:
Alabama,
Alaska,
Arizona,
Arkansas,
Colorado,
Florida,
Georgia,
Idaho,
Indiana,
Kansas,
Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
Montana,
Nevada,
New Hampshire,
North Carolina,
North Dakota,
Ohio,
Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania,
South Carolina,
Tennessee,
Texas,
Utah,
Virginia,
West Virginia
State CCW Permits that Arkansas Honors:
Alabama,
Alaska,
Arizona,
Arkansas,
Colorado,
Delaware,
Florida,
Idaho,
Indiana,
Kansas,
Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Michigan,
Minnesota,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
Montana,
New Hampshire,
North Carolina,
North Dakota,
Ohio,
Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania,
South Carolina,
South Dakota,
Tennessee,
Texas,
Utah,
Virginia,
West Virginia,
Frequently Asked CCW Questions:
I want to travel across Arkansas and I would like to carry my
handgun for my personal safety while I am traveling. How may I legally
carry my handgun?
The following is the Arkansas law concerning carrying a weapon.
Arkansas Code Annotated §5-73-120. Carrying a weapon. (a) 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. (b) 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; and (3)(A) "Knife" means any
bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious physical
injury or death by cutting or stabbing. (B) "Knife" includes a dirk,
sword or spear in a cane, razor, ice pick, throwing star, switchblade,
and butterfly knife. (c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this
section that at the time of the act of carrying a weapon: (1) The
person is in his or her own dwelling, place of business, or on property
in which he or she has a possessory or proprietary interest; (2) The
person is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or member of
the armed forces acting in the course and scope of his or her official
duties; (3) The person is assisting a law enforcement officer,
correctional officer, or member of the armed forces acting in the
course and scope of his or her official duties pursuant to the
direction or request of the law enforcement officer, correctional
officer, or member of the armed forces; (4) The person is carrying a
weapon when upon a journey, unless the journey is through a commercial
airport when presenting at the security checkpoint in the airport or is
in the person's checked baggage and is not a lawfully declared weapon;
(a journey is defined as traveling beyond your circle of neighbors and
general acquaintances our outside a person’s normal travel routine) (5)
The person is a licensed security guard acting in the course and scope
of his or her duties; (6) The person is hunting game with a handgun
that may be hunted with a handgun under rules and regulations of the
Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission or is en route to or from a
hunting area for the purpose of hunting game with a handgun; (7) The
person is a certified law enforcement officer; or (8) The person is in
a motor vehicle and the person has a license to carry a concealed
weapon pursuant to § 5-73-301 et seq. (d)(1) Any person who carries a
weapon into an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages is guilty
of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than two thousand
five hundred dollars ($2,500) or imprisonment for not more than one (1)
year, or both. (2) Otherwise, carrying a weapon is a Class A
misdemeanor.
What advantage is there to having an Arkansas concealed handgun license
Arkansas also has concealed carry reciprocity with certain other states
that will allow you to carry in those states while visiting
What is the process for getting my permit?
You must complete the application packet. The packet can usually be
obtained from an instructor as listed on our website. The instructors
may also provide the necessary fingerprint cards as well. You would
complete the training course, send the packet and money to ASP
Where can I pick up forms for a concealed handgun permit?
You can pick one up at State Police Headquarters at I-30 and Geyer
Springs Road (exit 133), Little Rock or any local troop headquarters.
All concealed handgun instructors have application forms and usually
will give you the form and assist you in completing it if you take
their class.
What type of background checks are done for my concealed handgun license?
The Arkansas State Police performed a name based check through the
Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), the Interstate Identification
Index (III) and the National Instant Check System (NICS). The
fingerprint card is forwarded to the FBI and they perform a nationwide
fingerprint based search. How long does it take to get my handgun
permit? It depends on your criminal history and the quality of the
fingerprints submitted. If you do not have a criminal history or any
kind, the process will take a week longer than it takes to get the FBI
results back (Usually 4-6 weeks). The process may also be delayed if
your fingerprints are not of high enough quality to be accepted y the
FBI. If your fingerprints are rejected an additional submission time
(4-6 weeks) would be necessary. If you do have a criminal history it
may take longer to obtain dispositions or review the arrest or
conviction information in the file. . If any further information about
your charges is needed then ASP will send you a letter specifically
outlining what you need to obtain.
Where Concealed Handguns are Prohibited
It is a violation of the Arkansas Concealed Handgun License law to
carry a concealed handgun into any of the locations listed below: Any
police, sheriff or Arkansas State Police office. Arkansas Highway
Police facility. Detention facility, prison or jail. Courthouse or
courtroom. Any polling place. Meeting place of any government entity.
Meeting place of any session of the Arkansas General Assembly or
committee of the General Assembly. Any athletic event not related to
firearms competition in which the license holder is participating. Any
part or section of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic
beverages for consumption on the premises, except a restaurant. Any
part of section of an establishment in which alcohol is consumed on the
premises, except a restaurant. Any school, college, community college,
or university campus building or school/college event unless the event
is for the purpose of participating in an authorized firearms related
activity. Inside the passenger terminal of any airport, unless the
handgun is encased for shipment by lawful transportation. Any church or
other place of worship. Any place where the possession of firearms is
prohibited by federal law. Any place where a property owner or manager
has exercised discretion to prohibit the possession of a firearm.
Participating in a parade or demonstration for which a permit is
required. At a private residence without having first advised the
occupants that the license holder is carrying a concealed weapon and
given the permission to carry the handgun.