Arkansas Exempts Stadiums and Sporting Events from New Gun Law

A new law signed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday would have allowed concealed weapons to be carried into sporting events and a variety of other locations within the state.

However, Andrew DeMillo of the Associated Press reported lawmakers voted Thursday to exempt stadiums and sporting events from the law shortly after it was signed by Hutchinson. 

According to DeMillo (h/t MySanAntonio.com), the law will take effect on Sept. 1, but it is likely that guns won't be allowed at the expanded list of locations until early 2018.

University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University officials opposed the initial law and called for the decision of allowing concealed weapons on their campuses to remain with the schools.

Democratic Rep. Greg Leding expressed his belief that firearms at sporting events could be a potentially dangerous mix: "People like to have a good time before the game, during the game, people get emotional and angry during the game. I think the idea of introducing loaded weapons into those situations is just ridiculous."