The D-G reports this morning from Benton and Washington counties, where twenty polling places have either said they’ll allow concealed weapons or won’t have signs disallowing the practice.
The legislature passed a law last year allowing guns at polling places for voters with concealed carry permits, unless the location is in a place where guns are otherwise disallowed, such as a school. It’s up to each entity that runs the spaces used for polling places (often private organizations), whether to allow guns or not.
The D-G reports:
Legally, thousands of concealed guns could show up where people vote. Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler wrote in an email that there are 12,101 active concealed weapon licenses in Benton County and 9,339 in Washington County. …
Eight centers in Benton County and 12 in Washington County either will allow concealed guns or have not told election commissioners about their plans, according to information provided by the counties’ election commissions.
The centers that will allow guns are mostly in rural areas where concealed weapons are not uncommon, said Jennifer Price, Washington County election coordinator.