Why does Republican want to revisit gun rights legislation?
FACT CHECK: Support for the 2nd Amendment.
The Family Council’s Arkansas Voters Guide asked candidates whether they support or oppose “Allowing citizens who may legally own a handgun to visibly and openly carry an unconcealed handgun without a permit—also known as “open carry.”
In House District 63 both Republican candidates (Representative James Sturch and challenger Phillip Finch) answered the survey saying they “support” open carry. However, some 2nd Amendment supporters are questioning whether James Sturch’s answer reflects his actual position.
They point to a mid-January Facebook post by freshman Representative James Sturch of Batesville. Advocates asked Sturch if he would “protect” Act 724 of 2013 which allows open carry. He wanted to answer the question by phone instead in a public forum but they persisted in asking for a public response. The advocates did not get the “yes” they expected. Instead, Representative Sturch said he would support legislation to “clarify” Act 746 of 2013. Clarify?
The advocates are also concerned why Sturch’s response noted many “prefer conceal carry versus full open carry and I can see both sides of the argument“. What does that mean for Sturch’s idea of “clarification.”
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We are unable to provide the full text of Representative Sturch’s response because Representative Sturch deleted the post. However, before he deleted it screen shots were taken of much of the conversation but the screen shots cut off the very end of Sturch’s response. Sturch’s statement appears below and the screen shots of the conversation have been added at the end of this article.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES STURCH: I would support additional legislation to clarify Act 746 and its intent to (1) protect the rights of law abiding Arkansans to bear arms, (2) Codify clearly what a “journey” means with regard to open carry, and (3) to fix hardships many folks face with the high costs and trouble of getting concealed carry permits if they choose to go to that route. Many people who have discussed the issue with me in my district still prefer to conceal carry versus full open carry and I can see both sides of the argument (ex. Element of surprise vs deterrence of crime by visible….
Representative Sturch listed three areas he would like to clarify and all three raised red flags for the 2nd Amendment advocates.
“To protect the rights of law abiding Arkansans to bear arms.” Don’t recall 2nd Amendment advocates complaining about needing additional protection under Act 746. This led some gun owners to wonder “What is he up to?”
“Codify clearly what a “journey” means with regard to open carry.” Why would the “journey” provision be a concern for open carry? The act says you are NOT committing the offence of carrying a weapon unless you are carrying it with the purpose to attempt to unlawfully employ it against a person.
“To fix hardships many folks face with the high costs and trouble of getting concealed carry permits if they choose to go to that route.” Act 746 has nothing to do with getting a concealed carry license. So, why is this being used as an excuse to open up Act 746 for revision?
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BOTTOM LINE: Sometimes survey questions do not reveal enough to get an accurate picture. Don’t take your freedoms for granted.
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See screen captures of the conversation below:
Click to enlarge
