Campus guns proposal continues to stall in Arkansas

     (AP) – Proposed legislation, House Bill 1249 to allow the concealed carry of handguns on Arkansas college campuses, continues to stall as two amendments to the measure failed to get out of a Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 21 in favor, ten against and 4 not voting. All local Senators were in favor of both ammendments, with the exception of Senator Missy Irvin who didn't vote on the first.
     The two proposed amendments to the gun measure were presented to the committee Tuesday. The first amendment would remove a requirement that a person be at least 25 years old to carry a licensed concealed handgun on campus. The second amendment would reduce the hours of training needed to be authorized to carry a concealed handgun on campus from 16 to eight hours.
     Senate Majority Leader Jim Hendren said Wednesday he'll ask Senators to remove the bill from the Judiciary Committee to consider an amendment expanding the proposal. He says he'll ask the chamber to take up a plan to allow concealed handguns at colleges, some bars and state buildings such as the Capitol.