Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 4, 2024 – The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld Thursday a Craighead County Circuit Court ruling that affirmed Arkansas State University’s right to ban guns inside of First National Bank Arena.
Chris Corbitt appealed Circuit Judge Melissa Richardson’s opinion that said ASU could ban guns from the arena.
Corbitt had argued that since he had an enhanced license, he should be able to have a handgun while at the arena. The high court’s opinion said that since the arena has an alcohol permit it can exclude even those with enhanced concealed carry license holders from possessing a gun inside of the arena.
According to public information made available through Arkansas Court Connect, Corbitt has filed seven lawsuits against various public entities regarding their concealed carry laws including the City of Little Rock, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas State University. This marks the fourth suit to be dismissed since 2020.
In the decision affirming the circuit court’s ruling, Justice Barbara Webb wrote, “Except as permitted under (state law § 5-73-322(g)), a license to carry a concealed handgun issued under this subchapter does not authorize a person to carry a concealed handgun into” several enumerated locations.
She further wrote, “But in this case, ASU is prohibiting firearms at FNB Arena because the facility is covered by an alcohol permit, not because it is attempting to exercise discretion …”
Justice Rhonda Wood, in her dissent, wrote, “Because the statutes provide that Corbitt may carry his concealed firearm in this context and the majority departs from established rules of statutory interpretation, I dissent.
Justices Shawn A. Womack and Cody Hiland also dissented.