The major media outlets are reporting today the Arizona fugitives are suspected to have left Montana and are now in the state of Arkansas.
If they have left the Yellowstone area, they made an intelligent move on their part. Visitors in Yellowstone have been able to follow state firearms laws while there, therefore able to open carry or conceal carry according to Montana and Wyoming laws. Arkansas laws are strongly against the carry of handguns for self-defense.
This means a Chinese tourist traveling through Yellowstone had better and easier means of defending themselves against these violent fugitives than the people of Arkansas do tonight.
The couple has possibly been seen in Gentry, a town in the far Northwest corner of Arkansas (near National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas), where it is believed they robbed a beauty shop and tied the workers before leaving. Last week, an Oklahoma couple was killed; it is believed the fugitives were involved. They have proven they are prone to violence, and may attack again.
This state has no means for its citizens to immediately arm themselves with handguns when leaving their home, unless we pay the “gun tax” and obtain a concealed carry permit. What if I don’t want to conceal? What if I choose not to ever carry a gun unless events such as these occur? Even though the Second Amendment and the State Constitution explicitly details our right to “bear” arms, the state legislature refuses to allow us to protect ourselves unless we pay the gun tax. Forty-three states in this country allow their people to open carry, but Arkansas refuses to treat us as normal citizens with rights.
God help the people of Northwest Arkansas tonight, especially if you are out camping, fishing or simply driving.
UPDATE on fugitives:
Benton County authorities are saying now the Arizona fugitives are not responsible for the beauty salon holdup. Federal law enforcement is now stating the Arkansas lead was a dead end.
Update:
Yesterday I wrote about William Clark, the nut-job who continues to impersonate as a captain in the U.S. Army. I told of him being approached by an active-duty soldier at a gun show in Georgia; this was wrong. The gun show was in Alaska. I regret the mistake, and hope it did not hinder an investigation of this idiot.
Receive email alerts when new articles have been published. Just click on the "Subscribe" button above.
Appeal to regular readers: If you perceive a value from visiting this site on a regular basis, will you help me build its readership? Please share the link to this column via emails, blogs, forums...
For more commentary, make the online journal, The War onGuns: Notes from the Resistance a daily stop.
Atlanta Ed Stone | Austin Howard Nemerov | Boston Ron Bokleman | Charlotte Paul Valone | Cheyenne Anthony Bouchard | Chicago Don Gwinn | Cleveland Daniel White | DC Mike Stollenwerk | Denver Dan Bidstrup | Des Moines Sean McClanahan |Detroit Rob Reed | Fort Smith Steve D. Jones | Knoxville Liston Matthews | Los Angeles John Longenecker | Minneapolis John Pierce | National David Codrea | Seattle Dave Workman | St. Louis Kurt Hofmann | Tucson Chris Woodard
Comments
Sorry to say this because I bear no ill will to the citizens of Arkansas but I think I am going to stay out of your state and spend my dollars elsewhere whenever I travel. I am from California and it is bad enough here but it sounds like it is worse back there. Good luck to you and hopefully these fugitives will leave soon.
You are totally misinformed Mr. California. I can own guns with pistol grips, Class III's, and SAWs. Plus you can't even get a concealed in comiefornia. At least I can.
It's possible to get a concealed carry in California. It's also possible for the legislature of Arkansas to take it away from us at their whim.
California allows their citizens to open carry in rural areas. Arkansas doesn't. If I am camping, backpacking or hiking, I would rather do it in California if I want to exercise my rights, because I would rather open carry. California also allows open carry in cities, but it has to be unloaded. That is lightyears ahead of Arkansas, who won't even allow open carry at all, unless you are on a journey. I can carry a magazine beside my firearm and load it pretty quick, if I was in California. I'm defenseless in Arkansas
That being said, I won't get near living in the land of fruits and nuts.
But, hey, the good news is, Bill Clinton is neither your governor nor your president. So, it could be worse. Heckfire it has been.
First off if you want to carry an unloaded gun go ahead. The gun is no good without bullets.And being from California pretty much says all that needs to be said about you.
In Arkansas we have carry permits. We can also carry our assault rifles right in the back window of our pickups for everyone to see. There is no lack of guns or people carrying them in Arkansas so dont fool yourselves by thinking otherwise.And do all of us in Arkansas a favor and stay in California.
Mike, I don't know where you are directing your comments, but I'll answer some of your remarks.
The state of California DOES issue concealed carry permits. They are, however, a MAY issue state, doled out by the sheriff. California does allow you to open carry in most places; in a city such as San Diego, it has to be unloaded. You can, however, carry a magazine on your belt to be loaded quickly. You DO NOT have to have a permit to do this. Arkansas DOES NOT ALLOW open carry at all, unless you are on a "journey". California's carry laws are more friendly to people who do not want to HIDE their gun. Arkansas does let you carry long guns in the open, but I don't think I will see you, Mike, walking through Little Rock with an AR-15 on your shoulder. You have to pay a minimum of $144.25 for a CHCL in Ark and it might cost $250! That doesn't sound like the state laws are very friendly to me.
I am a native of Arkansas and I have lived in Ft.Smith all my life.
so funny Robert i am also from good ole cali,i can say without any mistake cali has way more crime then any other state ,far far more then arkansas
Arkansas also does not allow you to open carry a loaded handgun in the National Forests; California does. The gun CAN be loaded in rural areas in California for self-protection. Does Arkansas allow that? Also, try carrying your black rifle in the woods in Arkansas when there is not a hunting season! In other words, you have NO way to protect yourself in the woods of Arkansas unless you have a CHCL, and that is an infringement of your Second Amendment rights.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!