Concealed carry of handguns now legal in Ben Geren Park

Ben Geren Park sign - May, 2009

One of the jewels of the Fort Smith area is Ben Geren Park, a 1300 acre county park managed by the Sebastian County Parks Department. This park is very diverse, having softball and soccer fields, walking and bike trails and heavily wooded areas. A few months ago, a small change occurred at the entrances of the park, a change which translates into more freedoms for gun owners. 

Ben Geren Park sign, Fall 2009

As recently as last summer, the signs at every opening to the park had included a prohibition to firearms. These signs are very familiar to residents of Fort Smith who use the park or drive by it regularly, and they have been an icon of the park for decades.   

In January, 2009, gun rights group Arkansas Carry contacted Joe Gaa, Sebastian County Parks director, in an attempt to have the signs taken down. The group claimed the firearm ban was illegal and in conflict with the Arkansas firearm preemption law. Arkansas Carry then contacted Judge David Hudson and the county quorum court, declaring the county law which prohibited firearms in the park was illegal. Subsequently, Sebastian County prosecuting attorney Daniel Shue advised county officials Arkansas Carry was indeed correct. In May of 2009 the county law was repealed.