As people across the state have been up in arms over the possibility of guns being allowed at sporting events, some legislators got just a little impassioned during debate Friday before approving Senate Bill 724. The legislation exempts sporting events from locations that concealed weapons are allowed after the same governing bodies expanded places they could be taken earlier this week.
Senator Stephanie Flowers (D-Pine Bluff) was among the most impassioned about the measure, saying that she was opposed to the expansion in general.
“Where I’m from, the God I serve does not tell me that I have a fundamental right to carry a gun.” Flowers told the Senate. “So don’t tell me about no damn ‘Everybody gotta have a gun.’ Go to hell with your guns. I’m voting for the damn bill. I don’t want to.”
Both houses of the Arkansas legislature backed down from the measure earlier this week when SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement of concern.
“Given the intense atmosphere surrounding athletic events, adding weapons increase safety concerns and could negatively impact the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Arkansas in several ways, including scheduling, officiating, recruiting, and attendance.” Sankey said. “HB 1249 creates concerns for the Southeastern Conference and its member institutions. It remains our collective desire to provide a safe environment for student-athletes, coaches, officials and fans, and will continue to closely monitor the status of this legislation.”
It was apparent that many constituents were also up in arms about the possibility if you are to believe Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R-Little Rock). Despite strong pressure from the National Rifle Association, Hutchinson says his first obligation is to the voters.
“When 90 percent of them speak loudly, then that’s our obligation.” the Senator was quoted as saying on Friday.
The amendments also included hospital campuses in addition to college sporting events.
Grant Merrill
Grant Merrill is the Publisher of InsideFortSmith.Com, and owner of parent company Great Plains Digital Media. Prior to jumping into the digital world, he was a longtime sports talk show host on stations across Arkansas. E-Mail: grant@greatplainsdigital.com
Buddy
March 31, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Apparently Constitutional rights only matter if you agree with them. And our Governor is included in the list of people who are stomping on our rights. Someday I hope we can get a true conservative in the Governors office, not a back stabbing Rino.