Gov. Hutchinson not considering gun reform in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Governor Asa Hutchinson mentioned Thursday he isn’t contemplating altering gun laws within the state this yr within the wake of mass shootings in Tulsa and Uvalde.

In a “pen and pad” for journalists, Gov. Hutchinson mentioned if he calls a particular session, the main target will probably be on growing college security.

“Once I discuss in regards to the particular session, college security is what I anticipate to be on the agenda, nothing extra,” Hutchinson mentioned.

Hutchinson mentioned it’s the state’s duty to ensure all colleges are secure and children are protected.

“It’s a constitutional duty of the state of Arkansas to guarantee we’ve a top quality college system however that we even have a secure college system,” Hutchinson mentioned.

The Governor mentioned college security has at all times been high of thoughts for him. He mentioned he created the Arkansas Faculty Security Fee again in 2018 which reviewed college security all through the state and carried out extra psychological well being assist for college students. Hutchinson is reconvening the fee to replace college security wants.

Hutchinson mentioned he’s planning on placing surplus cash in direction of bettering college safety.

“I wish to put a significant sum of money that might go into maybe a grant program that might help the efforts of the native college districts to reinforce security,” Hutchinson mentioned.

Whereas Democrat State Rep. Nicole Clowney mentioned bettering college security is simply a part of the answer to stopping mass shootings.

“With out a critical dialog about gun coverage on this nation, we are going to by no means have the ability to make an enormous dent in the issue that we’ve seen simply develop exponentially over the previous few years,” Clowney mentioned.

Clowney mentioned she want to see a number of gun reform modifications thought of in Arkansas.

“Issues like common background checks, as an example, would make a really massive distinction,” Clowney mentioned. “Everyone knows that the Uvalde shooter bought his weapon legally, so we have to look significantly at elevating the age from 18 to 21.”

Whereas, Republican State Sen. Ballinger mentioned he doesn’t imagine common background checks are wanted. He mentioned its about college security and psychological well being assist.

“We must be attempting to focus on these youngsters who need assistance and attempt to discover methods to get assist and if which means extra money than we bought to determine a method to try this” Ballinger mentioned.

There isn’t any set date for a particular session, however Gov. Hutchinson mentioned it might be in July or August.