I got a tip from a former legislator last week that, once churches were opened up to guns, the state Capitol would be next. He’d been assured the matter was “taken care of.” I could find no trace of such legislation in the House or Senate last week. I also checked with the secretary of state to be sure that office hadn’t already cooked up some way for a favored class of customer to sneak past the metal detectors with heavy metal. Came up empty

Now comes a further tip that the idea is very much alive. A Republican legislator from Northwest Arkansas reportedly has a bill drafted to allow guns in the Capitol — perhaps even open carry — but only by legislators. The secretary of state would oversee the permitting process.

Advertisement

What are legislators are afraid of? If they should be able to carry weapons in the Capitol, why not everyone else? Concealed weapons are allowed for all in the Texas capitol. Holders of concealed carry permits even get the added benefit of an express lane through the security check points to sidestep field trip groups.

I’m checking with the legislator.

Advertisement

What was that Randy Newman song, “Kingfish”?

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Court date nears on abortion legislation; church guns advance Next article Senate talks steel