1

Running Head: GUNS AND SPORTS?

Guns and Sports?

Nathan Duran

University of Texas at El Paso

 2
GUNS AND SPORTS?

Introduction

The Second Amendment of the Constitution to the United States is often controversial,

and in recent years it has been brought under the spotlight of civil rights issues. After the recent

events in Arkansas there have been changes involving the expansion and exceptions of carrying

firearms for licensed carriers. While recent revisions in legislature may have reached the closest

solution to compromise, I believe there could be a better solution.

What has happened to spark the issue?

In March of 2017, Arkansas government passed Act 562 which would extend the areas

allowed by concealed-carry licensed citizens to carry their weapons in previously prohibited

areas such as state colleges, government buildings, airports, religious establishments, athletic

events, and some bars. The bill would not change the original concealed-carry license, but create

a second tier to the Second Amendment. An 8-hour training in addition to the pre-existing license

would allow the citizens to take advantage of Act 562. However, after the bill received lots of

criticism concerning the safety of those attending athletic events, the act was amended to exempt

university athletic events. Arkansas then passed an amendment to the Senate Bill 724 to allow

Arkansas universities to place a ban on guns if there is a proper security placed at least five days

before the day of the event. While this amendment appeased who opposed Act 562, others such

as members of the NRA argue that the van is too broad and can be interpreted in ways that are

negative to gun owners (Lyon, 2017)

What kind of issue is this?

This issue is one that concerns Civil Rights, similarly to other ongoing issues involving

the Bill of Rights. However, this is not an argument what the right to bear arms means. The
 3
GUNS AND SPORTS?

issue involves the extension and exceptions to the places a citizen can carry a gun, it is not an

expansion to who can own a gun, what guns a citizen can own, or when a citizen can own a gun.

These events are also very important because they can affect the rights and safety of citizens that

are gathered in mass crowds. While these events have taken place in the past weeks, revisions

are still likely to occur.

What is the argument?

While there are essentially two sides to the argument over the bill, both sides claim to

support public safety. Those whose who were in favor of the entirety of the original Act 562

argue there would be sufficient precautions to prevent accidents, and that the lawful carry of

firearms in the athletic events would be necessary to ensure safety to stop attacks and to prevent

crime. The other side of the argument is concerned that the permission of firearms in Arkansas

athletic events is dangerous considering the environment (Lyon, 2017). The University of

Arkansas athletics is a member of the Southeastern Conference, a high-profile conference in

athletic play especially in football. When stakes are high or if rivals mix with the home crowd,

tension can lead to confrontation or acts of passion that would be made even more dangerous

when guns are mixed into the equation (Perez, 2017). The legal possession of guns at athletic

event could make these places safer, but could also mean safety concerns for others if the law is

not exercised responsibly. Both sides offer legitimate concerns and points, but I believe a

compromise can be met closer to the middle.

Is there a better alternative?

While gun sales have been increasing, non-fatal gun crimes have dropped, and although

guns were involved in 70 percent of all homicide in the span of 1993 to 2011, only 10 percent of
 4
GUNS AND SPORTS?

those guns were said to be purchased in stores (Bell, 2017). The Act 562 of 2017 does not allow

just any citizen, or even a citizen with a concealed-carry license, to enter an Arkansas university

athletic event with a gun, but the added 8-hour training is still not enough. An alternative to the

amendment could be a more extensive and complicated process to obtain the carrying license,

and the license itself should be relatively expensive, require a clean background and significant

waiting period, and require more training to obtain. Just as there are higher levels of firearm

possession to own automatic or suppressed weapons, the same sort of qualifications and a higher

price to meet these qualifications could be required for carrying a firearm in sporting events.

There is a positive role for guns to play in all places, because in the right hands they can prevent

or at least stop tragedies.

Conclusion

The events in Arkansas are a demonstration of American democracy and its influence on

the rights of its citizens. The opposition and support for the extension of the right to carry

firearms in previously prohibited areas has come to somewhat of a middle ground, but I believe

Act 562 should still allow firearms in university athletic events. With a more extensive,

expensive, and time-consuming training and process to obtain the carrying license, the athletic

events can be an even safer place for fans. Well-trained and properly-licensed citizens with

firearms can deter or at least stop massacres and attacks.

 5
GUNS AND SPORTS?

REFERNCES

Lyon, J. (2017, March 28). Bill on gun bans at Arkansas college sports events advances.
Retrieved April 29, 2017, from http://www.arkansasnews.com/news/20170328/bill-on-gun-bans-
at-arkansas-college-sports-events-advances
Perez, A. P. (2017, March 23). Arkansas Senate votes to exempt stadiums from gun law; measure
goes to House. Retrieved April 30, 2017, from
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2017/03/23/arkansas-law-would-allow-
concealed-weapons-sports-arenas/99537654/
B. K. (2017, March 28). SEC stands behind exemption to Arkansas law allowing guns in college
stadiums. Retrieved April 30, 2017, from http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sec-
stands-behind-exemption-to-arkansas-law-allowing-guns-in-college-stadiums/
Bell, L. (2013, May 14). Disarming Realities: As Gun Sales Soar, Gun Crimes Plummet.
Retrieved April 30, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/05/14/disarming-
realities-as-gun-sales-soar-gun-crimes-plummet/#51ea73a63f7c