Are you thinking of getting your concealed carry license but unsure how to go about it? Then look no further as we have the answers you seek! Some things to know:
- You have a constitutionally protected right to bear arms.
- You do not have to demonstrate a 'need' or explain why you want to apply for a license to carry a handgun.
- Arkansas is a 'shall issue' state. This means if you meet the criteria outlined below you are guaranteed to be approved.
- Your firearms do not have to be 'registered' with State. No serial numbers are recorded or stored during this process.
Quick Stats (as of 8/11)
Do you think having a desire to carry a gun makes you crazy or abnormal? Well, take a look at this:
| Adult Population in Arkansas (21+): | 2,077,218 | ||
| % of Adult Population Licensed: | 5.07% | ||
That's right over 5% (or roughly 106,000 people) of the adult population in the state of Arkansas has a license to carry a loaded concealed weapon and the numbers are rising every single day! Also, many women are getting licensed as well!
Active Female Licenses: 24,269
Active Male Licenses: 81,640
So, what do you need to do to get your license?
Eligibility Criteria
As mentioned Arkansas is a 'shall issue' state and as long as you meet the minimum criteria your license will be approved. The criteria established by law is:
- No felony convictions
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Legal resident of the State of Arkansas
- Have never been judged or declared mentally ill
- Have never involuntarily committed to a mental hospital or institution
- Do not abuse alcohol or illegal drugs
- Have never been convicted or domestic abuse or violence
CHCL Classes - What to Expect
If you meet the eligibility criteria your next step will be to locate an instructor and take a concealed handgun course. How do you locate an instructor that is offering courses in your area? We have a listing of instructors and courses available on this website, the Arkansas State Police maintains a listing of instructors, and you can look in the phone book for local ranges and facilities that may offer courses.
During your training course you can expect:
- Several hours of 'classroom' training covering: laws, your responsibilities, places you cannot carry, and safe handling and operation of firearms.
- Live fire qualification. The State of Arkansas requires that you demonstrate you safely fire a handgun. This is not a test for accuracy (you're not expected to hit a bulls-eye) but rather to show the instructor that you can safely handle and discharge a firearm with some degree of accuracy and stability. If you qualify with a revolver then you can only carry a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-automatic then you can carry whatever handgun you wish.
Most CHCL classes range from 5-8 hours and are offered for around $100 throughout the state. If you have difficulty locating an instructor in your area send us an e-mail and we'll help you locate somebody.
Some instructors may offer to do fingerprinting and notarization services during their class but are not required to do so. If they do not it is your responsibility to have them done.
After the Class
After you successfully complete your course you will need to gather your application and submit this to the State Police for processing. This can be done in in a variety of ways:
- U.S. Mail - You can mail your completed application to the State Police in Little Rock for processing. We strongly encourage sending it certified mail with a return receipt requested.
- Online - The State police now offers the ability to complete your application (and renewals) online at www.asp.state.ar.us. Online applications are processed faster so this is the preferred method for submitting applications to the State Police. You will need to complete the application prior to taking your training course. Advise your course instructor you want to submit your application online. He/she will need to go online and submit an approval on your application that you've successfully completed the course before the State Police will process it.
- In Person - you can physically drop off your paperwork to the CHCL Section at the State Police Headquarters in Little Rock. You can also have your fingerprinting done at the same time if not already complete.
Processing Time
The State Police is allowed up to 120 days to either approve or deny your application, however, the are usually processed much faster than that nowadays. If, after 120 days, you have not received your license you can contact the State Police to determine its status. You can also check the status of your application online at www.asp.state.ar.us.
