LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas
senators are considering a proposal that would make secret the names of
about 130,000 people in the state who are permitted to carry concealed
handguns.
The Senate plans to vote Wednesday on legislation that would make the list of concealed carry permit holders exempt from Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act. State law currently only allows the state to release the names and ZIP codes of permit holders.
Republican Sen. Bruce Holland of Greenwood says he proposed the change after a New York newspaper published the list of concealed carry permit holders following last year's school shooting in Connecticut. Gov. Mike Beebe and several media organizations are opposed to the bill.
The current law was the result of a 2009 compromise struck in the Legislature.
The Senate plans to vote Wednesday on legislation that would make the list of concealed carry permit holders exempt from Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act. State law currently only allows the state to release the names and ZIP codes of permit holders.
Republican Sen. Bruce Holland of Greenwood says he proposed the change after a New York newspaper published the list of concealed carry permit holders following last year's school shooting in Connecticut. Gov. Mike Beebe and several media organizations are opposed to the bill.
The current law was the result of a 2009 compromise struck in the Legislature.
