Arkansas Supreme Court rules lawyers can bring guns into courthouses but not courtrooms
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Supreme Court recently broadened the list of people who are allowed to bring guns into a courthouse.
The Thursday decision by the court overturned a decision by the Pulaski County Circuit Court that lawyers were barred from carrying guns into the courthouse. The decision clarified that while lawyers could bring guns into a courthouse, courtrooms were not part of the decision.
The case originated in one brought by attorney Chris Corbitt who wanted to be able to bring guns into a Pulaski County courtroom. Corbitt was no longer a party in the case due to procedural issues, but the other plaintiffs, Robert Steinbuch, Ben Motal “and all persons similarly situated” did give the justices the opportunity to clarify what law applied and ultimately approve officers of the court, attorneys, being able to bring guns into courthouses.
In the opinion penned by Justice Shawn Womack, the court stated it would review the issue of bringing guns into courtrooms only when it is brought before it.
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Justice Karen Baker concurred and dissented in part, stating in her opinion that “the attempt to distinguish courtrooms and courthouses is a distinction without a difference,” citing Arkansas law.
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