Issue 2 of 2026 - Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment
The Public Policy Center has provided neutral information on statewide ballot issues since 2004. The 2026 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide will be available online and at your county Cooperative Extension Service office this fall.
A constitutional amendment to amend Arkansas Constitution, Article 2, & 5, to protect the right to keep and bear arms.
An amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to provide that the citizens of the state of Arkansas shall have the right to keep and bear arms for their common defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose; providing that the right to keep and bear arms includes without limitation the possession and use of ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components; and providing that the right to keep and bear arms is a natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed.
The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives voted in April 2025 to place Issue 2 on the November 2026 General Election Ballot. The Arkansas Constitution grants the legislature the right to include up to three constitutional amendments on the general election ballot.
Constitutional amendments currently require the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Sen. John Payton of Wilburn and Rep. Matt Duffield of Russellville
On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 2, or SJR11 of 2025 as it was previously known, on the legislature's website.
A FOR vote means you are in favor of changing the state constitution to broaden the meaning of “right to keep and bear arms” to include possessing and using ammunition, firearm accessories, and firearm components without limitation and specifying the right applies to lawful hunting, recreational use and other lawful purposes.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of adding this amendment changing the state constitution to expand the right to keep and bear arms. The existing language in Article 2, Section 5 would remain in place.
Filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission
Groups that support or oppose ballot issues are required to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission as a ballot or legislative question committee once they raise or spend a certain amount of money on their efforts. Visit the Commission's website to view these filings, which include names of people behind a group and how much money has been raised or spent.
As of Aug. 20, no group has registered with the Arkansas Ethics Commission to support or oppose Issue 2.