§ 14-54-1411 — Firearms and ammunition - Definition

(a) As used in this section, "local unit of government" means a city, town, or county. (b) (1) (A) A local unit of government shall not enact any ordinance or regulation pertaining to, or regulate in any other manner, the ownership, transfer, transportation, carrying, or possession of firearms, ammunition for firearms, or components of firearms, except as otherwise provided in state or federal law. (B) This shall not prevent the enactment of an ordinance regulating or forbidding the unsafe discharge of a firearm. (2) (A) A local unit of government shall have no authority to bring suit and shall have no right to recover against any firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief resulting from or relating to the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public. (B) The authority to bring any suit and the right to recover against any firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief shall be reserved exclusively to the State of Arkansas. (C) Provided, this shall not prevent a local unit of government from bringing suit against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer or dealer for breach of contract or warranty as to firearms or ammunition purchased by the local unit of government. (c) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the governing body of a local unit of government, following the proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency, may enact an emergency ordinance regulating the transfer, transportation, or carrying of firearms or components of firearms. (2) Such emergency ordinance shall not be effective for a period of more than twenty (20) days and shall be enacted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the governing body.

Legislative History

Acts 1993, No. 1100, §§ 1-3; 1999, No. 951, § 2.