The bill amends Arkansas law regarding the possession of firearms by certain individuals, specifically allowing for the restoration of firearm rights to nonviolent felons. It modifies the existing statute to clarify that individuals convicted of specific nonviolent felonies, such as antitrust violations and unfair trade practices, may regain their right to possess firearms. The bill also establishes a process for automatic restoration of firearm rights by the Department of Public Safety for those whose underlying felony did not involve violence and who have completed their sentence at least ten years prior.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which a convicted felon or adjudicated delinquent can have their firearm possession rights restored. It specifies that restoration is contingent upon the nature of the felony, the time elapsed since the offense, and the completion of the sentence. The bill removes previous language that required a pardon for restoration and introduces a detailed list of violent offenses that would disqualify individuals from regaining their firearm rights. Overall, the legislation aims to provide a clearer pathway for nonviolent felons to regain their rights while maintaining restrictions for those with violent convictions.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1057 V2 - 2-10-2025 10:04 AM: 5-73-103, 02-10-2025, 16-93-301, 16-98-303(g), 5-10-101, 5-11-101, 5-12-101, 5-13-101, 5-14-101, 5-16-101, 5-17-101, 5-18-101, 5-26-301, 5-26-501, 5-27-230, 5-27-301, 5-27-601, 5-28-101, 5-38-101, 5-38-202, 5-38-301, 5-39-201, 5-39-204, 5-51-201, 5-54-110, 5-54-111, 5-54-112, 5-54-113, 5-54-125, 5-54-126, 5-54-201, 5-62-101, 5-71-202, 5-71-229, 5-73-101, 5-74-101, 5-73-309(5)
Old version HB1057 V3 - 2-18-2025 09:55 AM: 5-73-103, 02-18-2025, 16-93-301, 16-98-303(g), 5-10-101, 5-11-101, 5-12-101, 5-13-101, 5-14-101, 5-16-101, 5-17-101, 5-18-101, 5-26-301, 5-26-501, 5-27-230, 5-27-301, 5-27-601, 5-28-101, 5-38-101, 5-38-202, 5-38-301, 5-39-201, 5-39-202, 5-36-109, 5-39-204, 5-51-201, 5-54-110, 5-54-111, 5-54-112, 5-54-113, 5-54-125, 5-54-126, 5-54-201, 5-62-101, 5-64-801, 5-64-1101, 5-71-202, 5-71-229, 5-73-101, 5-74-101, 5-73-309(5)
Old version HB1057 V4 - 4-2-2025 10:02 AM: 5-73-103, 04-02-2025, 16-93-301, 16-98-303(g), 5-10-101, 5-11-101, 5-12-101, 5-13-101, 5-14-101, 5-16-101, 5-17-101, 5-18-101, 5-26-301, 5-26-501, 5-27-230, 5-27-301, 5-27-601, 5-28-101, 5-38-101, 5-38-202, 5-38-301, 5-39-201, 5-39-202, 5-36-109, 5-39-204, 5-51-201, 5-54-110, 5-54-111, 5-54-112, 5-54-113, 5-54-125, 5-54-126, 5-54-201, 5-62-101, 5-64-801, 5-64-1101, 5-71-202, 5-71-229, 5-73-101, 5-74-101, 5-73-309(5)