On Tuesday, March 19, the Arkansas House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on HB 1694, a bill that would force almost any public building in the state to allow guns, including K-12 schools, college campuses and public daycare centers.
HB 1694 is an extreme bill that would force K-12 schools and public daycare centers to allow almost any teacher, parent or visitor to openly carry a gun, preventing school officials from keeping people from carrying a gun on school grounds. The bill also expands the current law that forces colleges to allow guns on campus by requiring colleges to allow almost anyone to carry a gun on to a college campus, even if they do not have a permit.
By forcing almost all public buildings to allow guns, the bill would threaten public safety. And by allowing more guns in schools, it would only complicate a law enforcement response to an active shooter situation.
If you’d like to learn more about how HB 1694 would put public safety at risk, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
