Deciphering the Arkansas Attorney General opinion(constitutional carry, open carry)

Fort Smith Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 10 July, 2013 | Steve D. Jones

[marktwain]

The media in the great state of Arkansas is all abuzz this week about Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issuing an official opinion on Monday, July 8th. In the opinion (which pertains to a small section of law in upcoming Act 746, effective on August 16th), the AG was asked:

“Is it your opinion that Act 746 now permits a person to be able to carry a handgun, in plain view or concealed, if they leave their county so long as they do not visit locations that prohibit carrying a firearm such as the State Capitol grounds, airports, schools, etc.?”

Though this author wrote last week about the “journey” portion of Act 746 being made irrelevant by Constitutional Carry language in that same law, I will attempt to translate the Attorney General’s convoluted thinking and verbiage here.

When issuing opinions on gun control laws, AG McDaniel will always react consistently; if the question can be used to smother out gun rights, he will do his best to do so. If McDaniel cannot restrict gun rights with an opinion, he will either refuse to give an answer or will muddy up the opinion so as to leave many more questions unanswered, as he did Monday. For decades, gun owners and law enforcement officers in Arkansas have been very confused as to how to interpret and follow the state’s gun control laws, and Dustin McDaniel uses his anti-self defense tactics to keep citizens confused and to restrict the exercising of their rights.

[marktwain]

AG opinions do not carry the force of law. However, they are often used as guidance by law enforcement agencies.

[Impy]

Scumbag.

He’s not running for reelection. It’s time for a clean sweep of statewide offices in Arkansas including Pryor’s Senate seat.

[mosaicwolf]

I totally agree. I am doing everything I can here in Polk County to prevent the uber liberal Pryor from being re elected in 14.