issue 2Right to keep and bear arms
Read the full text of the measure: official text
In plain words
Today the Arkansas Constitution says citizens have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense. Issue 2 adds hunting, recreation and other lawful uses, and says the right covers ammunition, accessories and gun parts. (uaex.uada.edu )
Before and after
| Purposes listed | Common defense | Common defense, lawful hunting and recreation, any other lawful purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ammunition, accessories, parts | Not mentioned | Included 'without limitation' |
| Kind of right | Not described | Natural, fundamental, individual; shall not be infringed |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (arkleg.state.ar.us )
Biggest change
- Protected uses: common defense; lawful hunting and recreational use; any other lawful purpose. source: arkleg.state.ar.us
- The right includes, without limitation, having and using ammunition, firearm accessories and firearm components. source: arkleg.state.ar.us
- Calls the right natural, fundamental and individual, and says it shall not be infringed. source: arkleg.state.ar.us
- Takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. source: arkleg.state.ar.us
Who it affects most: Gun owners, sellers, courts and police; UA Extension notes opponents question how it would affect current gun laws.
Cost to the state: No fiscal estimate was found in the official text or the UA Extension guide.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
A YES (FOR) vote replaces Article 2, sec. 5 with the new, longer right-to-bear-arms wording, starting Jan. 1, 2027.
A NO (AGAINST) vote keeps the current Article 2, sec. 5, which protects the right to keep and bear arms for the common defense.
Our one-line summary. Arkansas does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with A majority of the votes cast on the issue..
- Arkansas General Assembly (SJR 11, 2025 regular session). Sponsors: Sen. John Payton and Rep. Matt Duffield. source: arkleg.state.ar.us
- Passed by the legislature in April 2025 as SJR 11. source: uaex.uada.edu
- UA Extension notes no pending Arkansas bill would restrict arms; sponsors say they want to act before other states' rulings or laws affect Arkansas. source: kuaf.com
Why supporters want it
No public statement found.
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- For: Sen. John Payton and Rep. Matt Duffield (Legislative sponsors) source: uaex.uada.edu
- Against: No public statement found.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Arkansas General Assembly .
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS FOR THEIR COMMON DEFENSE, FOR LAWFUL HUNTING AND RECREATIONAL USE, AND FOR ANY OTHER LAWFUL PURPOSE; PROVIDING THAT THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS INCLUDES WITHOUT LIMITATION THE POSSESSION AND USE OF AMMUNITION, FIREARM ACCESSORIES, AND FIREARM COMPONENTS; AND PROVIDING THAT THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS IS A NATURAL, FUNDAMENTAL, AND INDIVIDUAL RIGHT THAT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
FOR
AGAINST
Copied word for word from the Secretary of State's notice "Constitutional Amendment (or Other Measure) Referred to the People by the General Assembly" for Issue No. 2, page 1 (ar_Issue_No_2_SJR_11_of_2026.pdf). The notice prints the Ballot Title; it says voters vote for or against, so FOR and AGAINST are shown as the choices.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
Read it in the official text , or on the Legislature's page for Issue 2 (SJR 11 of 2025) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- Arkansas Secretary of State: Initiatives and referenda (official notices for Issues 1 to 4, PDF)
- Official text (SJR 11, Arkansas Legislature)
- UA Extension Issue 2 fact sheet
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.