Ark. Code Ann. § 14-16-504 (2026)

1. As used in this section, “local unit of government” means a city, town, or county.
2. 1. 1. A local unit of government shall not enact any ordinance or regulation pertaining to, or regulate in any other manner, the ownership, transfer, transportation, carrying, or possession of firearms, ammunition for firearms, or components of firearms, except as otherwise provided in state or federal law.
      2. The provision in subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section does not prevent the enactment of an ordinance regulating or forbidding the unsafe discharge of a firearm.
   2. 1. A local unit of government shall not have the authority to bring suit and shall not have the right to recover against any firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief resulting from or relating to the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public.
      2. The authority to bring any suit and the right to recover against any firearm or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or dealer for damages, abatement, or injunctive relief shall be reserved exclusively to the State of Arkansas.
      3. However, subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B) of this section do not prevent a local unit of government from bringing suit against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer or dealer for breach of contract or warranty as to firearms or ammunition purchased by the local unit of government.
3. 1. The governing body of a local unit of government, following the proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency, is prohibited from enacting an emergency ordinance regulating the transfer, transportation, or carrying of firearms or components of firearms.
   2. A person who has his or her firearm seized in violation of subdivision (c)(1) of this section may bring an action in the circuit court having jurisdiction for the return of the seized firearm.

History. Acts 1993, No. 1100, §§ 1-3; 1999, No. 951, § 1; 2011, No. 165, § 1.

A.C.R.C. Notes. References to “this subchapter” in §§ 14-16-501 — 14-16-503 may not apply to this section which was enacted subsequently.

Publisher's Notes. Acts 1993, No. 1100, §§ 1-3, are also codified as § 14-54-1411.

Amendments. The 2011 amendment substituted “The provision in subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section does” for “This shall” in (b)(1)(B); substituted “However, subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B) of this section do” for “Provided, this shall” in (b)(2)(C); in (c)(1), deleted “Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section” at the beginning and substituted “is prohibited from enacting” for “may enact”; and rewrote (c)(2).