Fort Smith, Ark — A new bill in Arkansas seeks to expand the rights of felons convicted of nonviolent crimes by allowing them to legally possess firearms after a specified waiting period. Rep. Scott Richardson, a Republican from District 13, is sponsoring House Bill 1057, which aims to provide greater opportunities for individuals convicted of low-level nonviolent felonies to regain their Second Amendment rights.
The legislation would amend current state laws that prohibit felons from possessing firearms, focusing specifically on nonviolent offenses. Under the proposal, individuals convicted of certain nonviolent felonies, such as antitrust violations or unfair trade practices, could apply to have their firearm rights restored after a 10-year waiting period. The goal is to ensure that those who have proven their rehabilitation and reintegration into society can regain the ability to participate in activities like hunting and shooting sports.
Richardson, who has introduced similar legislation in the past, believes that this year’s bill has a strong chance of passing. “I think this time will be different,” he said. “We’ve taken extra precautions to file the bill early, allowing ample time for any amendments or revisions that might be necessary.”
The bill’s language includes a specific list of violent felonies that would continue to disqualify individuals from possessing firearms, but it emphasizes a more limited scope for nonviolent crimes. Richardson explained that this approach aims to provide a pathway for those convicted of less severe offenses to rejoin society in a meaningful way.
“A number of non-violent, low-grade felonies involve individuals who would like to participate in the natural state,” Richardson said. “They want to hunt, to be avid sportsmen, but the law does not allow them to possess a firearm.”
The proposed legislation is part of a broader conversation around criminal justice reform in Arkansas, where lawmakers have worked to address issues like parole reform, rehabilitation programs, and the restoration of rights to those who have served their sentences. Proponents of the bill argue that by allowing nonviolent offenders to regain the right to possess firearms, the state can help them rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.
However, critics of the bill may raise concerns about the potential risks associated with restoring firearm rights to individuals with felony convictions, even if those offenses were nonviolent. Public safety and the potential for misuse of firearms by individuals with criminal backgrounds are expected to be points of contention during legislative discussions.
Richardson’s bill, filed early in the legislative session, reflects a cautious but proactive approach to gun rights and criminal justice reform. The waiting period is designed to ensure that applicants have demonstrated a stable reintegration into society before regaining their firearm rights.
As the bill moves through the legislative process, all eyes will be on whether Arkansas lawmakers will support this shift in policy toward restoring rights to those convicted of nonviolent felonies.