Court Opinion

ID: 9769439
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 14:50:46.805495+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:03.483692
License: Public Domain

John I. Purtle, Justice, concurring. I concur with the results reached but object to part of the language in the majority opinion. The opinion apparently states it is unlawful to carry a handgun. The cases cited by the majority predate the Criminal Code, Acts of 1975, No. 280. In my opinion, Rule 4.1 does not authorize an arrest for carrying a handgun because it is not a violation of the law unless intent to use it as a weapon against a person is proven. There was no such proof as is required by Ark. Stat. Ann. § 41-3151 (Repl. 1977). Neither is it shown that the possession of the handguns was in violation of Ark. Stat. Ann. § 41-3111 (Repl. 1977). Therefore, I fear the majority opinion might be used later to support the theory that possession of a handgun for a person’s own protection is in violation of the law. Such interpretation is clearly erroneous. Furthermore, there is no need for this language because the consent to search has already been found.