LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In just a little over a month, lawmakers in Arkansas will have the chance to decide on whether or not they will approve expanding and restoring gun rights to non-violent felons.
On Monday, Republican State Representative Scott Richardson of Bentonville introduced House Bill 1057.
If approved, it would restore the right for nonviolent felons to possess a firearm.
"I like to use the analogy of a hot check. If an individual created a hot check 30 years ago and changed their ways, now it's been 10 years, and they've not created any more challenges for society. They should have that opportunity," Richardson described.
However, this is not the first time this bill has been presented in the House or the Senate.
Back in 2023, former Democrat State Representative Vivian Flowers attempted to do the same thing but it was rejected due to some of the language on the bill.
Now, Richardson hopes that with addition of a few changes like adding more restrictions on who immediately can possess a firearm will make a difference.
"We feel like by adding the 10-year cooling off period so that an individual can validate that they have changed, it provides an opportunity to address those concerns, both on the House and the Senate," Richardson added.
Founder of Arkansas Department of Corrections Family Support, LaDeana Biddle, explained how she supports the bill.
She also shared how her nephew had been found guilty of a non-violent crime over 20 years ago and now he wants to be able to go hunting.
"He can't work, doesn't have an income. So having to hunt for food is something that's very important and a basic need of life. Yet he's being told, okay, you served all your time. Even though that debt is supposed to be paid to society, you haven't been rehabilitated enough," Biddle said.
Richardson said that changing this Arkansas law will also create incentives for former felons to want to continue to do better in society and have something to look forward to.
"This is just another opportunity for us to go back and provide those protections of the state back to individuals who have proven that they've changed their ways," he said.
The next general assembly is set to begin on January 13, 2025.