Shooter's Den

The director (Arkansas State Police) will issue a license if the applicant

1.. Is a resident of Arkansas and has been continuosly for 90 days or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application, (provided this shall not apply to any retired city, county, or state or federal law enforcement officer)
2. Is 21 years of age or older
3. Does not suffer from any mental or physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a handgun and has not threatened or attempted suicide.
4. (A) Is not ineligible to possess a firearm by virtue of having been convicted of a felony in a court in this state, or any other state or the United States without having been pardoned for the same and had firearms rights restored.
(B) Is not subject to any federal, state or local law which makes it unlawful to receive, possess or transport any firearm, and has had his or her background checked through the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background check System (NICS)
5. Does not chronically or habitually abuse controlled substances to the extent that his normal faculities are impaired. Has not been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a treatment facility for the abuse of a controlled substance, or been found guilty of a crime under the provision of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act or similar laws of any state or the United States within three (3)year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted.
6. Does not chronically or habitually use alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties are impaired, if the applicant has been voluntarily or involuntarily commited as an alcoholic to a treatment facility or has been convicted of two or more offenses related to the use of alcohol under the laws of this state or similar laws of any other state or the United States within the three year period immediately preceding the date on which the application is submitted.
7. Desires a legal means to carry a concealed handgun to defend himself.
8. Has not been adjudicated mentally incompetent.
9. Has not been voluntarily or in voluntarily committed to a mental institution or mental health treatment facillity.
10. Is not a fugitive from justice.
11. Has satisfactorily completed a training course as prescribed and approved by the director.
12. That the applicant sign a statement of allegiance to the United States Constitution, and the Arkansas State Constitution.
(c) The director may deny the license if within the preceding five (5) years the applicant has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor, or for the offense of carrying a weapon. The director may revoke any license if the licensee has been found guilty of one or more crimes of violence within the preceding three (3) years. This subdivision shall not apply to a misdemeanor that has been expunged or for which the imposition of sentence was suspended.
(d) The application shall be completed, under oath, on a form promulgated by the director.

Personal Background

Applicants with past police records that are not supported with a disposition (acquittal, conviction, or nolle prosequi) will be expected to provide written documentation from the arresting agency of the final disposition involving those cases. Notification of background checks that fail to produce a disposition will be made directly through correspondence from the Arkansas State Police to the applicant. The application will be placed in an administrative holding file until the matter is resolved.

Additional Background Issues

 Charges against an applicant other than felonies can impact your application. Any “act of violence” within the past five (5) years (from conviction date) is cause for denial of an application. Certain misdemeanor acts of violence that appear most often are: Carrying a Weapon; Battery; Assault; Resisting Arrest and Terroristic Threatening.

 Also cause for denial of an CHL application is a conviction in the previous three (3) years relating to violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

 A conviction for any felony  is cause for denial. A felony is any crime for which a person could be sentenced to prison for more than one (1) year. In most cases, the only recourse from this problem is to acquire a pardon, with specific restoration of firearms rights, from the Governor of the state in which the conviction took place. According to Arkansas Attorney General’s Opinion #96-247, an “expungement” or “sealing” of a felony conviction does not remove conviction for purposes of obtaining a concealed handgun license.

If you are not sure if you qualify, call the Arkansas State Police (501-618-8600) before coming to class, All fees paid to the A.S.P. and Instructor are non refundable.

PERMIT TYPES

Un-Restricted Permit

Individual qualifies with a semi automatic pistol and may carry any legal handgun they choose

Restricted Permit

Individual qualifies with a revolver and may only carry revolvers, no semi-autos will be allowed.