§ 12-15-208 — Department of Corrections employees - Eligibility to carry concealed handgun

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Corrections or his or her designee may authorize an employee of the Department of Corrections to carry a concealed handgun into a building in which or a location on which a law enforcement officer may carry a concealed handgun, as long as the individual: (1) Is presently employed with the department; (2) Is not subject to any disciplinary action that suspends his or her authority to work; (3) Is carrying a badge or appropriate written photographic identification issued by the department; (4) Is not otherwise prohibited under federal law from possessing or receiving a firearm; (5) Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; (6) Has provided written authorization for state- and national-level criminal history records screening with the results of the screening showing that the individual is eligible to legally possess and carry a firearm; (7) Has fingerprint impressions on file with the Division of Arkansas State Police automated fingerprint identification system; and (8) Has completed a weapons qualification course administered by the department. (b) The secretary or his or her designee retains full discretion to deny an employee's request under this section. (c) An individual carrying a concealed handgun under this section shall annually complete a weapons requalification course administered by the department. (d) An individual authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section: (1) Shall immediately be prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun under this section if the individual no longer meets the criteria stated in subdivisions (a)(2)-(5) of this section; and (2) Before his or her last day of employment with the department, may seek authorization from the secretary or his or her designee to continue to carry a concealed handgun under this section for an additional six (6) months after his or her last day of employment with the department. (e) (1) The secretary shall maintain a list of individuals authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section. (2) The list required under subdivision (e)(1) of this section: (A) Shall identify the name and location of assignment for each individual authorized to carry a concealed handgun under this section; (B) Shall be kept confidential; and (C) Is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 752,§ 3, eff. 4/12/2023.