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http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2009/08/07/harrelson-talks-potential-laws-at-annual-20.php
Harrelson talks potential laws at annual conventionState bills could include open carry, ‘Castle Doctrine’
By: Marie Martin - Texarkana Gazette -Published: 08/07/2009
Arkansas State Rep. Steve Harrelson, D-Texarkana, asked a room full of police officers Thursday about two “hot button” issues that may be coming in future legislation—the stand your ground and the open carry gun laws.
“I believe in the Second Amendment and I am a gun collector,” said Harrelson, the House majority leader, before asking for a show of hands.
Not one of the nearly 70 officers raised a hand in support of the open carry law, which would allow Arkansans to carry handguns openly with a license and a holster.
Harrelson spoke Thursday at the 73rd annual Arkansas Municipal Police Association Convention at Texarkana’s LaCrosse Hotel.
In March, Arkansas State Rep. Mark Martin, R-Prairie Grove, introduced House Bill 2184, also called “the Arkansas Open Carry Law.” It stalled in committee before the 87th session ended in April, Harrelson said.
The bill, which could present itself again in Arkansas’ 2011 nonfiscal session, defined plain sight as “not hidden or concealed from observation and in open view. “Plain sight” includes a handgun that is holstered as long as the holster is not hidden or concealed from observation.
The second issue, called “stand your ground law” or “Castle Doctrine” by supporters and “shoot first law” by opponents, would allow homeowners to use deadly force if someone is trying to come onto one’s property without an invitation or authorization. Fifty percent of the officers in the room raised hands in support of the bill, which was first presented to Arkansas legislators in 2006. A watered-down version passed without changing the law, only the wording. It could be presented again in 2011.
Harrelson said the officers risk their lives every day to protect the general public and their feedback is important information for a legislator.
Florida has a shoot first law and was one of the first states to expand self-defense protection for incidents that would have formerly been classified as manslaughter or murder. As of 2006, 15 states have adopted a similar law, according to the Website shootfirst.org.
The law allows homeowners to shoot first and ask questions later.
“Right now, Arkansas law says it’s (a citizen’s) duty to retreat if they can. You don’t have the authority to use deadly force,” Harrelson said by phone Thursday.
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2009/08/07/harrelson-talks-potential-laws-at-annual-20.php
Harrelson talks potential laws at annual conventionState bills could include open carry, ‘Castle Doctrine’
By: Marie Martin - Texarkana Gazette -Published: 08/07/2009
Arkansas State Rep. Steve Harrelson, D-Texarkana, asked a room full of police officers Thursday about two “hot button” issues that may be coming in future legislation—the stand your ground and the open carry gun laws.
“I believe in the Second Amendment and I am a gun collector,” said Harrelson, the House majority leader, before asking for a show of hands.
Not one of the nearly 70 officers raised a hand in support of the open carry law, which would allow Arkansans to carry handguns openly with a license and a holster.
Harrelson spoke Thursday at the 73rd annual Arkansas Municipal Police Association Convention at Texarkana’s LaCrosse Hotel.
In March, Arkansas State Rep. Mark Martin, R-Prairie Grove, introduced House Bill 2184, also called “the Arkansas Open Carry Law.” It stalled in committee before the 87th session ended in April, Harrelson said.
The bill, which could present itself again in Arkansas’ 2011 nonfiscal session, defined plain sight as “not hidden or concealed from observation and in open view. “Plain sight” includes a handgun that is holstered as long as the holster is not hidden or concealed from observation.
The second issue, called “stand your ground law” or “Castle Doctrine” by supporters and “shoot first law” by opponents, would allow homeowners to use deadly force if someone is trying to come onto one’s property without an invitation or authorization. Fifty percent of the officers in the room raised hands in support of the bill, which was first presented to Arkansas legislators in 2006. A watered-down version passed without changing the law, only the wording. It could be presented again in 2011.
Harrelson said the officers risk their lives every day to protect the general public and their feedback is important information for a legislator.
Florida has a shoot first law and was one of the first states to expand self-defense protection for incidents that would have formerly been classified as manslaughter or murder. As of 2006, 15 states have adopted a similar law, according to the Website shootfirst.org.
The law allows homeowners to shoot first and ask questions later.
“Right now, Arkansas law says it’s (a citizen’s) duty to retreat if they can. You don’t have the authority to use deadly force,” Harrelson said by phone Thursday.
