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Public Safety

SJR11

A Constitutional Amendment To Amend Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, § 5, To Protect The Right To Keep And Bear Arms.

Passed

Last Action (April 16, 2025): Approved by the Governor.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

SJR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment to Article 2, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution to further define and protect the right to keep and bear arms. The amendment explicitly states that this right covers common defense, lawful hunting, recreational use, and any other lawful purpose. It broadens the scope of the right to include the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components. Furthermore, the amendment defines this right as a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed. If approved by the legislature, the proposal will be submitted to the electors of the state for a vote at the next general election. If adopted, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries would be individual citizens of Arkansas who prioritize gun ownership rights, as well as firearm owners, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts who utilize various accessories, components, and ammunition. Additionally, firearm and ammunition retailers and manufacturers operating within the state would benefit from the enhanced constitutional protection of these products.

Who Might Suffer?

Groups or entities that could be negatively impacted include proponents of stricter gun control regulations and public safety advocates who argue that broad constitutional language limiting the 'infringement' of firearm-related rights could constrain future legislative efforts to enact safety-focused restrictions on certain types of weapons, accessories, or ammunition.

Vote Records

Read and adopted and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

April 15, 2025
Yea: 86 Nay: 10 NV: 4 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House NV
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House NV
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Nay
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Nay
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Nay
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Nay
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Nay
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Nay
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Yea
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Nay
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Yea
Hope Duke Republican House Yea
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House Yea
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Yea
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Yea
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House NV
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House NV
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Nay
Alyssa Brown Republican House Yea
Nick Burkes Republican House Yea
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Nay
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Nay

Third Reading

April 10, 2025
Yea: 28 Nay: 7 NV: 0 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Nay
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Nay
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Nay
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Nay
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Nay
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Nay
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Nay
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us