NRA drops support of Arkansas campus guns bill after changes

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     (AP) – The National Rifle Association is dropping its support of House Bill 1249, the proposal to allow concealed handguns on Arkansas college campuses, after it was amended and limited to people 25 and older who have gone through active shooter training.

     The Senate Judiciary Committee last week endorsed the initial bill, without the age and training requirement, by a vote of 21 to 10. All local Senators, Scott Flippo, Missy Irvin and Linda Collins-Smith voted against the measure as written. All local State Representatives were in favor.

     Senator Flippo and Collins-Smith changed their position with the amendment in place, while Senator Missy Irvin was listed as not voting.

     The NRA said in a statement Wednesday it can no longer support the bill with the changes that were added through the deal struck between lawmakers and Governor Asa Hutchinson.

     The bill would allow faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns if they have a license from the state and meet the age and training requirements.

     A 2013 law left the decision on whether to allow faculty and staff to carry concealed guns up to the schools, but none have opted to do so.

     The revised bill is pending before the state Senate.




   

   

      

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