Brief Overview Of Arkansas State Laws Concerning Air Guns
Act 1495 – Arkansas bans imitation firearms or toy guns. The statute defines an imitation firearm as a toy that is identical in appearance to an original firearm that was manufactured, designed, and produced after 1898, including only:
(1) Air-soft guns firing nonmetallic projectiles;
(2) Replica non-guns; and
(3) Water guns
Imitation firearms do not include:
(1) A non-firing, collector replica of an antique firearm developed before 1898;
(2) Traditional BB, paintball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of air pressure; or
(3) A device:
(A) For which an orange solid plug or marking is permanently affixed to the muzzle end of the barrel for a depth of not more than six millimeters (6 mm);
(B) For which the entire exterior surface is predominately colored other than black, brown, blue, silver, or metallic; or
(C) That is constructed of transparent or translucent materials that permit unmistakable observation of the complete contents of the device.
How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Arkansas?
In Arkansas you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun.
Arkansas Air Gun Hunting Regulations
- Crow
- Rabbit
- Squirrel
Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions
Below are the additional laws and regulations pertaining to local jurisdictions in the state of Arkansas.
Benton County, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented ordinances for air guns) Hunting by permit.
Cabot, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented ordinances for air guns) Hunting by permit.
Dardanelle, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 16-2. – Discharge of weapons and hunting.
The term “firearm” also includes air rifles or pistols, pellet rifles or pistols, or any other device which discharges a projectile by compressed gas if the device is capable of expelling the projectile in excess of 450 feet per second.
(b) General prohibition.
It shall be unlawful to unsafely discharge or threaten to discharge any firearm, or to unsafely discharge any bow and arrow, crossbow, or any other device that expels or releases any projectile, within the corporate city limits.
(2) It is prima facie evidence that the discharge is unsafe if the device expels a projectile by the action of an explosive or gas generated by a chemical reaction; or if the device propels an arrow, bolt, or other projectile which has a metal, ceramic, or other tip capable of inflicting death or serious injury on another person.
Eureka Springs, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
7.24.01 Firing It shall be unlawful for any person to fire or discharge any firearm, pellet gun or BB gun or air rifle or any toy cannon or set off any squibs, firecrackers, or other thing containing powder or other combustible or explosive material or to employ or in any way utilize theatrical pyrotechnics within the corporate limits of the city. (Ord. No. 1913, Sec. 1, 4-28-03)
Forrest City, Sec. 5-5. – Molesting wildlife prohibited; discharge of firearms, air rifles, etc., prohibited in wildlife refuges.
No person shall hunt, trap, shoot at, kill or otherwise molest any wildlife of any kind within any wildlife refuge designated in section 5-4, or within the corporate limits of the city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any pistol, air pistol, shotgun, BB gun, air rifle, pellet gun or other rifle, or any firearms whatever, within the wildlife refuges designated in section 5-4.
Any person violating any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than ten dollars ($10.00), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), and each act shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 841, §§ 1—3, 1-6-59)
Cross reference— General prohibition against discharge of firearms, air rifles, etc., § 15-4.
Sec. 15-4. – Firearms, air rifles, etc., discharge prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any pistol, air pistol, shotgun, BB gun, air rifles, pellet gun or other rifle, or any firearm of any kind, within the city. Any person violating this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Fort Smith, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 14-28. – Air rifles, bean shooters, etc.; use prohibited; penalty.
The use of bean shooters, air rifles, and all similar implements and contrivances made or used for the purpose of hurling, throwing or shooting objects within the limits of the city, is hereby prohibited except as permitted in section 14-27. Any person found using such implements shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as set forth in section 1-9 of this Code.
(Code 1976, § 19-20; Ord. No. 62-07, 9-4-07)
Sec. 14-30. – Indoor shooting galleries; permit required.
(a) Any operator of an indoor shooting gallery (as defined in section 14-27) established for the discharge of firearms, archery, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns shall first apply to and obtain a “shooting gallery operator’s permit” from the chief of police. It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, keep, conduct or operate any shooting gallery without a permit.
(b) Application for a permit shall be made in writing to the chief of police and shall be signed and verified under oath by the applicant. The application shall set forth:
(1) The location where the indoor shooting gallery will be operated;
(2) The hours of operation for the indoor shooting gallery;
(3) The types of implements, e.g., firearms, archery, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns to be permitted at the location;
(3) The full name, age, and address of the applicant and of any persons, other than the applicant, who are to be in charge of and responsible for managing and/or operating the indoor shooting gallery or who are to be employed in connection with such operation;
(4) The name and address of the person owning the property where the indoor shooting gallery will be operated;
(5) A statement that neither the applicant nor any agent or employee connected with the shooting gallery has been convicted of any crime of violence;
(6) The term for which the applicant desires a permit, i.e., whether for one (1) day, a month or year, provided that in no case shall the permit be valid for more than one (1) year.
(c) Prior to issuing or renewing a shooting gallery operator’s permit, the chief of police shall:
(1) Cause an inspection of the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether such premises have the necessary systems in place to permit the discharge of firearms, archery, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns without endangering the safety of the public; and
(2) Cause a background investigation to be performed on the person or persons managing and/or operating the indoor shooting gallery, to include a criminal history check to be conducted at the expense of the person or persons requesting the indoor shooting gallery permit.
(d) If, at any time, the chief of police has reasonable cause to believe the indoor shooting gallery is being operated in an unsafe or reckless manner, or otherwise in noncompliance with the requirements of this article or of the issued permit, he may immediately suspend the shooting gallery operator’s permit.
(e) As soon as possible, but no more than five (5) days after the suspension, the chief of police shall cause a letter to be issued to the permittee, detailing the reasons for the suspension and the steps that must be taken to have the permit reinstated.
(f) No permit shall be transferable.
(g) Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to lessen or abrogate any requirements prescribed by any other ordinance or statute.
(Ord. No. 21-10, 5-4-10)
Sec. 14-31. – Indoor shooting galleries; supervision required.
(a) No person shall operate or maintain an indoor shooting gallery where firearms are discharged except under the personal and direct supervision of a qualified firearms instructor who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
(b) No person shall operate or maintain an indoor shooting gallery where archery, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns are operated except under the personal and direct supervision of a person at least 18 years of age.
Sec. 14-27. – Discharging firearms.
(a) It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearm in the city limits, except as provided in subsections (b), (c) and (d).
(c) The chief of police may issue a special permit to the state game and fish commission for the purpose of conducting an Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP) in a specific zone and restricted area or for an event sponsored by the state game and fish commission at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center. These events may include shooting of shotgun, archery or air rifle only. The permit issued shall contain the following:
(1) Name of the event;
(2) Limitation on the hours of the day during which the shooting may take place; and
(3) Specific expiration date.
(c) The chief of police shall have authority to issue permits for the discharge of firearms, archery equipment, air rifles, air pistols, or paintball guns in an indoor shooting gallery (“shooting gallery” means and includes any place or premises where facilities or devices for target shooting for practice or amusement with any firearm, archery equipment, air rifle, air pistol or paintball gun are provided for the use of any person for a fee, pay or compensation of any kind to be paid, directly or indirectly, by such person) as provided in section 14-30
This section shall not apply to active law enforcement officers or active military in the execution of their official duties.
(Code 1976, § 19-21; Ord. No. 62-07, 9-4-07; Ord. No. 21-10, 5-4-10)
Garland County, (No documented air gun restrictions/ordinances) Hunting by permit.
HOLIDAY ISLAND SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, (No documented air gun restrictions/ordinances) Hunting by permit.
JONESBORO, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
ARTICLE III. – OFFENSES INVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY
Sec. 46-48. – Discharging firearms.
Secs. 46-49—46-69. – Reserved.
Sec. 46-48. – Discharging firearms.
The discharging or firing of any weapon, air rifle, pellet gun or firearms of any description within the city is prohibited with the following exceptions:
(1) When discharged or fired by a duly constituted law enforcement officer and when necessary in the performance of his duty.
(3) The discharge of any firearm on any public or private rifle or pistol range, or shooting gallery approved for use in writing by the city and the chief of police, and in accordance with the Model Code for Gallery Shooting Ranges, which is hereby adopted by reference.
(4) When discharged for functional tests only by a qualified gun repair person and only when such safety equipment used is approved by the chief of police.
(Code 2006, § 7.16.01; Ord. No. 2196, § 1)
Little Rock, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 18-101. – Penalty.
Any person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this article shall be punished as provided in section 1-9.
Sec. 18-102. – Discharge of firearms, air guns, etc.
The discharging or firing of any weapon, bow instrument where the pull of the bow is forty (40) pounds or more, compound bow, crossbow, re-curved bow, long bow, air rifle, pellet gun, or firearm of any description within the city is prohibited with the following exceptions:
(1) When discharged or fired by a duly certified law enforcement officer when necessary in the performance of his duty.
(2) The chief of police may issue a permit to a licensed and qualified pest exterminator with the state authorizing the use of either an air rifle, air gun, or pellet gun for the purpose of eradicating pests causing injury or damage to property, or the existence of which creates a health hazard within this city. Such permit will restrict the use of such weapon to a designated area, for a limited period of time and to a specific person, and shall identify specifically the weapon to be used.
(3) The discharge of any weapon by a certified law enforcement or regulatory officer of any local, state or federal agency if the discharge is necessary to the performance of the officer’s duty.
(4) The discharge of any bow instrument where the pull of the bow is forty (40) pounds or more, compound bow, crossbow, re-curved bow, long bow, or firearm on any public or private archery, rifle or pistol range, or shooting gallery, approved for use in writing by the chief of police.
(5) The discharge of any bow instrument where the pull of the bow is forty (40) pounds or more, compound bow, crossbow, re-curved bow, long bow, at a stationery target on the person’s property, or upon property for which the person has the owner’s permission to practice, if the stationery target is set up in such a way that it poses no significant risk of harm to any person or property.
For purposes of this section, a weapon is defined as: (a) A firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious physical injury; or (b) Anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
(Code 1961, § 25-119; Ord. No. 17,884, § 1, 12-1-98)
LOWELL, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No documented air gun ordinances) Hunting by permit.
MAUMELLE, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
ARTICLE II. – WEAPONS
Sec. 42-31. – Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Weapon means any instrument capable of propelling a projectile and causing personal injury, including but not limited to guns of any type, pistols, air rifles, pellet guns, crossbows, bows and arrows, slingshots and similar instruments.
(Ord. No. 29, § 2, 4-7-1986)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 42-33. – Discharge prohibited.
Pursuant to the authority of its police powers for the health, safety and welfare, the city prohibits the discharge of weapons within the city. Except as authorized by law, or as excepted in section 42-34, it shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any weapon within the city.
North Little Rock, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 66-157. – Discharging air guns.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge an air gun of any kind within the city, or for parents or guardians of minor children to permit such. In case of willful destruction of property with an air gun, the air gun may be confiscated by the police.
(Code 1980, § 21-26)
PARAGOULD, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 24-5. – Discharge of firearms within the city limits.
(a) Definitions. The following words and phrases shall, for the purpose of this section, have the following meanings:
Firearm means shotguns, rifles, pistols, revolvers, air guns (including BB guns and pellet guns).
Owner means every person owning or keeping a firearm or real property.
(b) Discharging firearms. The discharging of a firearm within the city limits is prohibited with the following exceptions unless specifically permitted herein:
(1) When discharged or fired by a duly constituted law enforcement officer and when necessary in the performance of his duty.
(2) When necessary to control the roosting of blackbirds within the corporate limits of the city, residents may be given special permission by the chief of police to discharge a shotgun to scare away or disrupt the roosting of blackbirds within a given area. Shotgun shells of a “field load” Number 8 or 9 shot only shall be authorized for this purpose. Residents may obtain permission by telephone. Residents shall provide their name, address, telephone number, the location of the blackbird problem, and the time and duration of the eradication tactics shall begin and end. This provision does not address nor does it pertain to the discharge of “propane cannons” or pistols which fire specially marketed projectiles for the disruption of blackbirds as provided by the state game and fish commissioner or any other state or federal agency.
(3) Citizens may target practice upon their own property, or property of another person, providing that permission is authorized by the owner of such property, with the following guidelines:
a. Caution shall be taken to ensure that the impact of any projectile fired will not cause personal injury or damage to public or private property.
b. Participants must erect adequate impact barriers to stop all projectiles from exiting the target practice area.
c. Subject to other provisions of this section BB guns and pellet guns may be used only for target practice within the corporate limits of the city. BB guns and pellet guns may be used by children only under adult supervision.
(4) Firearms may be discharged within the city limits during state or federal hunting seasons. Hunters shall adhere to all state and federal hunting regulations, laws and guidelines. When hunting, rifles (rims or center fire) shall not be discharged within 1,500 feet of any dwelling place, business, or other location where people congregate, when such dwelling, business, or persons may be struck by a projectile.
(c) Safety. The city encourages each citizen who owns, possesses or uses a firearm within the city limits to attend a state sponsored “hunter’s education course.”
(d) Penalty. Each time said firearm is discharged shall constitute a separate offense. In the case of any violation of this section by a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor shall be charged as a principal with the violation hereof.
(Code 1973, § 18-11; Ord. No. 93-39, § I, 12-27-1993)
State law reference— Weapons, A.C.A. § 5-73-101 et seq.
Pine Bluff, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 14-26. – Discharging firearms.
(a) The discharging or firing of any weapon, modern or primitive, or any bow instrument where the pull of the bow is thirty (30) pounds or more, compound bow, crossbow, re-curved bow, long bow, air rifle, pellet gun, or firearm of any description within the city is prohibited with the following exceptions:
(2) When discharged or fired by a duly certified law enforcement officer when necessary in the performance of his duty.
(3) The chief of police may issue a permit to a state licensed and qualified pest exterminator authorizing the use of either an air rifle, air gun, or pellet gun for the purpose of eradicating pests causing injury or damage to property, or the existence of which creates a health hazard within this city. Such permit will restrict the use of such weapon to a designated area, for a limited period of time and to a specific person, and shall identify specifically the weapon to be used.
Ord. No. 6119, § 1, adopted Nov. 15, 2004, repealed § 14-27 in its entirety. Formerly, said section pertained to hunting prohibited within the city limits as enacted by Ord. No. 5629, § 1, adopted Oct. 2, 1995; as amended.
Pulaski County, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No known air gun Ordinances) hunting y permit.
Rogers, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No known air gun Ordinances) hunting y permit.
Siloam Springs, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 70-3. – Discharge of firearms or weapons.
(a) No person shall discharge firearms including shotguns, rifles, pistols or firearms of any character, within the city. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge air or gas propelled BB or pellet pistols or rifles within the city except when aimed at objects located upon premises owned or occupied by them and when discharged in such manner that the projectiles fired therefrom do not leave the premises owned or occupied by them.
(b) No person shall discharge any firearm or weapon upon any property owned by the city. The administrator is authorized to request state and county enforcement on city lands lying beyond the city limits.
(Code 1978, § 7.12.01)
Springdale, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Sec. 74-3. – BB guns, air rifles, etc.; sale to or possession by minors; liability of parent.
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:
Air rifle or BB gun means any gun using spring or air pressure to shoot or propel any metal or plastic bullet, BB or pellet.
Parent means any natural parent, stepparent, guardian or other person having legal custody or control of a minor.
Residence means the actual home of the minor and shall not include the grounds or lands on which the residence is located.
Slingshot means any contrivance using rubber or other elastic materials to shoot or propel any hard object.
(c) Prohibitions. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, barter or trade any air rifle, BB gun, slingshot or switchblade knife to any minor. It shall further be unlawful for any minor to have in his possession outside of the residence of the minor any air rifle, BB gun, slingshot or switchblade knife, unless such minor is in the immediate presence of his parent. It shall further be unlawful for any parent of any minor to knowingly permit such minor to have in his possession outside of his residence and while not in the immediate presence of the parent any air rifle, BB gun, slingshot or switchblade knife.
(Code 1973, §§ 22-5, 22-6)
State law reference— Offense of furnishing deadly weapon to a minor, A.C.A. § 5-73-109; carrying a weapon, A.C.A. § 5-73-120.
Sec. 78-34. – Hunting, molesting wildlife.
(b) It shall be unlawful to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, poison, kill, trap or remove any animal, reptile or bird; or to remove the eggs, nest, or young of any wild animal, fish, reptile or bird.
(c) It shall be unlawful to hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time. No person shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description, or air rifles, spring guns, slings, traps, or other weapons or devices potentially inimical to wildlife or dangerous to human safety.
(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to parks and recreation employees, or anyone acting at their direction, so long as any action taken by such employees, or anyone acting under their direction, is in furtherance of management of animals and wildlife within the park, and has been authorized by the parks and recreation director or the mayor.
(Code 1973, §§ 23-8, 23-18; Ord. No. 3108, 6-12-01)
Texarkana, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
Firearm: Any device, designed to be used as a weapon, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other form or combustion, but excluding “BB” gun, scuba gun, stud or nail gun used in the construction industry, or pop gun or toy gun.
Sec. 6-93. – Weapons, explosives and inflammable materials.
No person except peace officers, duly authorized post office, airport and air carrier employees or members of the armed forces of the United States on official duty shall carry any weapons, explosives or inflammable material on the airport, except cased sporting guns carried for transshipment.
Sec. 16-5. – Discharge of firearms, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any firearm, air rifle, BB gun, bean shooter or any similar weapon within the corporate limits of the city. The police shall seize all such weapons used in a violation of this section. This section shall not apply to law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties.
(Ord. Bk. No. 1, § 380(1); Ord. Bk. No. 1, § 381(12), (13); Ord. No. B-648, § 1, 2-11-41; Code 1961, § 18-6
State law reference— Weapons, Ark. Stats. Title 41, Ch. 31.
Washington County, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
(No Ordinances documented for Air gun restrictions) Hunting by permit.
West Memphis, ARKANSAS – Laws Pertaining To Airguns
– Discharging unlawful.
It is unlawful for any person other than a peace officer in the discharge of his duty as such to fire or shoot, within the city limits, any firearms, spring guns, or air guns.
(Ord. 772 § 1, 1973.)
6.44.020 – Penalty for violations.
Any person found guilty of a violation of the provisions of Section 6.44.010 shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than fifteen dollars and each time said firearms or spring guns or air guns are discharged, constitutes a separate offense.
(Ord. 772 § 2, 1973.)
Disclaimer
These rules and regulations were compiled to the best of my ability. They should not constitute as legal advice. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.