Open Carry event in Arkansas this Saturday

Here’s a good reason to march with your gun:

This Saturday will mark one year since the 89th General Assembly approved Act 746, more commonly known as the Arkansas Carry Law, went into effect in the state.

Initially adopted to make “technical changes” to House Bill 1700 and clarify the state’s firearm carry laws, Act 746 has become infamous for being ambiguous depending on who is asked.
One group of firearm activists in the state, Arkansas Carry, continue to host peaceful demonstrations across the state and will convene in Monticello at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ray’s.

Jeff Gipson, a member of Arkansas Carry, said the event is about educating the public about Arkansas’ gun laws while also protesting the opinion of Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.

McDaniel said in his opinion last month that the law doesn’t make open carry legal in the state.

The opinion reads: “Generally, however, it is my opinion that Act 746 does not in itself permit a person to possess a handgun outside of his or her vehicle or other mode of transportation while on a journey outside his or her county of residence. In offering this conclusion, I must stress that Act 746 in no way modifies the rights and obligations conferred upon those individuals who have obtained a concealed handgun permit pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Arkansas Code.”

Gipson said he disagrees with the AG’s opinion, as does the Arkansas Carry group, and maintains that the law gives Arkansans the right to open carry a weapon as

long as they do not intend to commit a crime with said weapon.

He said the event will begin with a safety meeting amongst those participating. Then, the group will walk north on U.S. Highway 425 while carrying their weapons.

“All weapons must be in a holster, and the trigger must be covered in order to participate in the walk,” Gipson said.

He added that the demonstration is for handgun owners only, and no large weapons will be permitted.

“We just want to educate our community about the law,” Gipson said.

For him, the gun law is about preserving the second amendment of the United States Constitution.

“We need to fight for our freedoms because once they take (the right to bear arms) away, it’s not going to be restored,” he said.

Gipson said once the walk is finished, the participants will meet at Ray’s for lunch and more information about the gun law will be discussed.

“We want to educate the community about the gun laws,” Gipson said.

Monticello Police Chief Eddy Deaton said he has been made aware of the walk and lunch discussions. He added that there will be officers in the area making sure that everything stays peaceful as promised.

While Arkansas Carry explains the laws “decriminalizing the open carry of weapons” in the state, Deaton said the issue isn’t quite so simple.

He said many in the state interpret the law as making it legal to open carry a fire arm, but not everyone agrees.

Deaton said the Arkansas State Police are making arrests when someone is carrying a weapon openly in public.

Thomas Deen, prosecuting attorney for the 10th Judicial District, said his office was handling the issue on a case by case basis. He added that McDaniel’s opinion speaks for this itself. He did not elaborate further.

Source: http://mymonticellonews.net/latest_news/article_d318a83e-23ba-11e4-a04a-0019bb2963f4.html