<P> Description of "carrying a weapon" as seen from a legal standpoint . "A person commits the offense of carrying a weapon if he or she possesses a handgun, knife, or club on or about his or her person, in a vehicle occupied by him or her, or otherwise readily available for use with a purpose to attempt to UNLAWFULLY employ the handgun, knife, or club as a weapon against a person ." the Act's subsections go on to describe the specific circumstances in which one may legally carry that weapon . Though the language in some of Act 746 had created confusion over the legalities of open and concealed carry without a permit with some state officials and law enforcement it has since been amended to correct these confusions and goes on to describe the specific instances and places where it is legal to carry a weapon and in no way legally overrides the law of a license required for conceal carry in the state . </P> <P> Background on the confusion that surrounded Act 746: </P> <P> While Constitutional gun rights advocates and most law enforcement agencies have tried to argue that Act 746 legalizes open and concealed carry in Arkansas without a permit, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel at the time, issued a non-binding opinion on July 8, 2013 stating that Act 746 applies only to persons who are carrying firearms while "on a journey across or through Arkansas," that open carry remains illegal and that a valid permit is still required for concealed carry for those who are not traveling across Arkansas . In his opinion written to State Senator Eddie Joe Williams, Attorney General McDaniel defined a journey as "travel beyond one's county of residence," but further stated it would be ultimately up to the discretion of law enforcement officials and county prosecutors as to whether or not persons carrying without a valid permit would be arrested and prosecuted . The Arkansas Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on this issue . </P> <P> In August 2015, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued a non-binding opinion that open carry is legal while not affecting concealed carry, and that a concealed carry license is still required: </P>

Can you open carry a gun in arkansas