Arkansas residents concerned about safety can seek a license allowing them to legally carry a concealed handgun for self-defense. The concealed carry permits, which are granted by the state police, are valid for five years. Successful applicants must pass state and federal background checks, declare allegiance to the United States and Arkansas constitutions, and complete firearms safety training in order to obtain an Arkansas conceal carry permit.

Steps

  1. 1
    Be 21 years of age or older, a citizen of the United States, and an Arkansas resident for at least 90 days.[1]
  2. 2
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  3. 3
    Review and complete the application for the Arkansas concealed carry permit.[3]
  4. 4
    Write a check for the application fee or obtain a money order payable to the Arkansas State Police. This also covers the cost of state and federal background checks. The fees are non-refundable.[4]
  5. 5
    Complete a firearms safety course approved by the state police and obtain your training certificate. You must show proficiency with a handgun on a firing range to pass the training course. Search the state police website for approved instructors in your area.[5]
  6. 6
    Obtain a full set of your fingerprints from an expert technician. You can get fingerprinted at a police station, at a private firm with a trained technician, or during your firearms safety course.[6]
  7. 7
    Mail a packet including the concealed carry application form, payment, fingerprints, and training certificate to: Arkansas State Police, CHCL Section, 1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72209.[7]
  8. 8
    Expect approval or denial of your concealed handgun carry license from the state police within 120 days.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will the permit be mailed to the holder when approved?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it is not a permit on paper. It will come as a plastic card the size of a driver's license that you can place in your wallet.
  • Question
    On the fingerprint card, whose info goes in the "employer and address" field?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You just put whoever you are working for. If you are unemployed or self employed, you could specify that.
  • Question
    How do I transfer a conceal carry permit from state to state?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Contact the state in which you are moving for information.
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Warnings

  • Lying on the application for an Arkansas concealed handgun permit or knowingly providing false documents during the process is a criminal offense.
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Things You'll Need

  • Application for Arkansas concealed carry license
  • Check or money order
  • Full set of fingerprints
  • Training certificate from firearms safety course

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 72,342 times.
307 votes - 93%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: August 18, 2020
Views: 72,342
Categories: Guns and Shooting
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