2010 Arkansas Code
Title 5 - Criminal Offenses
Subtitle 6 - Offenses Against Public Health, Safety, Or Welfare
Chapter 73 - Weapons
Subchapter 1 - Possession and Use Generally
§ 5-73-119 - Handguns -- Possession by minor or possession on school property.

5-73-119. Handguns -- Possession by minor or possession on school property.

(a) (1) No person in this state under eighteen (18) years of age shall possess a handgun.

(2) (A) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(B) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) of this section is a Class D felony if the person has previously:

(i) Been adjudicated delinquent for a violation of subdivision (a)(1) of this section;

(ii) Been adjudicated delinquent for any offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult; or

(iii) Pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of a felony in circuit court while under eighteen (18) years of age.

(b) (1) No person in this state shall possess a firearm:

(A) Upon the developed property of a public or private school, K-12;

(B) In or upon any school bus; or

(C) At a designated bus stop as identified on the route list published by a school district each year.

(2) (A) A violation of subdivision (b)(1) of this section is a Class D felony.

(B) No sentence imposed for a violation of subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be suspended or probated or treated as a first offense under 16-93-301 et seq.

(c) (1) No person in this state shall possess a handgun upon the property of any private institution of higher education or a publicly supported institution of higher education in this state on or about his or her person, in a vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to employ the handgun as a weapon against a person.

(2) A violation of subdivision (c)(1) of this section is a Class D felony.

(d) "Handgun" means a firearm capable of firing rimfire ammunition or centerfire ammunition and designed or constructed to be fired with one (1) hand.

(e) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that at the time of the act of possessing a handgun or firearm:

(1) The person is in his or her own dwelling or place of business or on property in which he or she has a possessory or proprietary interest, except upon the property of a public or private institution of higher learning;

(2) The person is a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or member of the armed forces acting in the course and scope of his or her official duties;

(3) The person is assisting a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or member of the armed forces acting in the course and scope of his or her official duties pursuant to the direction or request of the law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or member of the armed forces;

(4) The person is a licensed security guard acting in the course and scope of his or her duties;

(5) The person is hunting game with a handgun or firearm that may be hunted with a handgun or firearm under the rules and regulations of the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission or is en route to or from a hunting area for the purpose of hunting game with a handgun or firearm;

(6) The person is a certified law enforcement officer;

(7) The person is on a journey, unless the person is eighteen (18) years of age or less;

(8) The person is participating in a certified hunting safety course sponsored by the commission or a firearm safety course recognized and approved by the commission or by a state or national nonprofit organization qualified and experienced in firearm safety;

(9) The person is participating in a school-approved educational course or sporting activity involving the use of firearms; or

(10) The person is a minor engaged in lawful marksmanship competition or practice or other lawful recreational shooting under the supervision of his or her parent, legal guardian, or other person twenty-one (21) years of age or older standing in loco parentis or is traveling to or from this activity with an unloaded handgun or firearm accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian, or other person twenty-one (21) years of age or older standing in loco parentis.