§ 5-73-322 — Concealed handguns in a university, college, or community college building

(a) (1) As used in this section, "public university, public college, or community college" means an institution that: (A) Regularly receives budgetary support from the state government; (B) Is part of the University of Arkansas or Arkansas State University systems; or (C) Is required to report to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (2) "Public university, public college, or community college" includes without limitation a public technical institute. (3) "Public university, public college, or community college" does not include a private university or private college solely because: (A) Students attending the private university or private college receive state-supported scholarships; or (B) The private university or private college voluntarily reports to the board. (b) A licensee who has completed the training required under subsection (g) of this section may possess a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a public university, public college, or community college, whether owned or leased by the public university, public college, or community college, unless otherwise prohibited by this section or § 5-73-306 . (c) (1) A licensee may possess a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a private university or private college unless otherwise prohibited by this section or § 5-73-306 if the private university or private college does not adopt a policy expressly disallowing the carrying of a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of the private university or private college. (2) (A) A private university or private college that adopts a policy expressly disallowing the carrying of a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of the private university or private college shall post notices as described in § 5-73-306(18) . (B) A private university or private college that adopts a policy only allowing carrying of a concealed handgun under this section shall post notices as described in § 5-73-306(18) and subdivision (c)(2)(C) of this section. (C) If a private university or private college permits carrying a concealed handgun under this section, the private university or private college may revise any sign or notice required to be posted under § 5-73-306(18) to indicate that carrying a concealed handgun under this section is permitted. (d) The storage of a handgun in a university or college-operated student dormitory or residence hall is prohibited under § 5-73-119(c) . (e) (1) A licensee who may carry a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a public university, public college, or community college under this section may not carry a concealed handgun into a location in which an official meeting lasting no more than nine (9) hours is being conducted in accordance with documented grievance and disciplinary procedures as established by the public university, public college, or community college if: (A) At least twenty-four (24) hours' notice is given to participants of the official meeting; (B) Notice is posted on the door of or each entryway into the location in which the official meeting is being conducted that possession of a concealed handgun by a licensee under this section is prohibited during the official meeting; and (C) The area of a building prohibited under this subdivision (e)(1) is no larger than necessary to complete the grievance or disciplinary meeting. (2) A person who knowingly violates subdivision (e)(1) of this section upon conviction is guilty of: (A) A violation for a first offense and subject to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100); and (B) A Class C misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense. (f) This section does not affect a licensee's ability to store a concealed handgun in his or her vehicle under § 5-73-306(13)(B)(v) . (g) (1) A licensee who intends to carry a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a public university, public college, or community college is required to complete a training course approved by the Director of the Division of Arkansas State Police. (2) (A) Training required under this subsection shall: (i) Not be required to be renewed; (ii) Consist of a course of up to eight (8) hours; (iii) Be offered at the training instructor's option at concealed carry training courses; and (iv) Cost no more than a nominal amount. (B) The director may waive up to four (4) hours of the training required under this subsection for a licensee based on the licensee's prior training attended within ten (10) years of applying for the endorsement provided for under subdivision (g)(3) of this section on appropriate topics. (3) A licensee who completes a training course under this subsection shall be given a concealed carry endorsement by the Division of Arkansas State Police on his or her license to carry a concealed handgun indicating that the person is permitted to possess and carry a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a public university, public college, or community college. (h) A licensee who completes a training course and obtains a concealed carry endorsement under subsection (g) of this section is exempted from the prohibitions and restrictions on: (1) Carrying a firearm in a publicly owned building or facility under § 5-73-122 , if the firearm is a concealed handgun; and (2) Carrying a concealed handgun in a prohibited place listed under § 5-73-306(7) -(12), (14), (15), and (17), unless otherwise prohibited under § 5-73-306(19) or § 5-73-306(20) . (i) The division shall maintain a list of licensees who have successfully completed a training course under subsection (g) of this section. (j) (1) Unless possession of a concealed handgun is a requirement of a licensee's job description, the possession of a concealed handgun under this section is a personal choice made by the licensee and not a requirement of the employing public university, public college, or community college. (2) A licensee who possesses a concealed handgun in the buildings and on the grounds of a public university, public college, or community college at which the licensee is employed is not: (A) Acting in the course of or scope of his or her employment when possessing or using a concealed handgun; (B) Entitled to worker's compensation benefits for injuries arising from his or her own negligent acts in possessing or using a concealed handgun; (C) Immune from personal liability with respect to possession or use of a concealed handgun; or (D) Permitted to carry a concealed handgun openly or in any other manner in which the concealed handgun is visible to ordinary observation. (3) A public university, public college, or community college is immune from a claim for monetary damages arising from or related to a licensee's use of, or failure to use, a concealed handgun if the licensee elects to possess a concealed handgun under this section.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2020F, No. 97,§ 46, eff. 7/1/2020. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5755, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5754, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5753, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 5752, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2017, No. 859,§ 7, eff. 9/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 859,§ 8, eff. 9/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 562,§ 6, eff. 9/1/2017. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1155,§ 16, eff. 7/22/2015. Added by Act 2013, No. 226,§ 5, eff. 8/16/2013.