When HB1623, the Concealed Cary Privacy bill was gutted and stripped of most of its protective language last legislative session, it was largely due to Governor Beebe's influancing of the committe members the bill was before.

Senators Ed Wilkinson and Senator Kim Hendren had a lot to do with the bill getting watered down and forced on us.

One thing that was never pointed out however was the fact that Senator Gilbert Baker could have stopped the whole hijacking had he just voted for the bill when it first came up before the committe. He was the swing vote that could have passed the bill through committee, "as is."

The bills sponsor Randy Stewart told us that Baker had told him that he had a talk with Beebe and could not support the bill as written. That day I watched from the sidelines as Baker refused to answer a "yes" or "no" vote when his name was called.

Basically he refused to vote, or voted "present."

He did in fact vote for the watered down, "compromise" bill that went through the whole Senate later.

In the end, because of Baker and some others to be sure, what we got was a watered down, less protective bill. And primary voters deserve to know the truth of this. The fact is, Baker sided with Beebe in railroading concealed carry holders.

Punishment should always be restricted to the abuser, not the majority of individuals who exercise rights responsibly. What happened here regarding "the list" is, the abuser (the Arkansas Times) was rewarded with the ability to continue to do what they were doing, and the innocent (the arkansas concealed carry permit holder) was deemed not deserving of a basic right to privacy and Senator Gilbert Baker who is now running for U.S. Senate was part of this travesty.

I called his office to get his take on the matter and my call was never returned.

Do with this information what you will.

Background

Arkansas Times Publishes List of Arkansas State Concealed Carry Holders

Bill to be Filed to Protect Arkansas Concealed Carry Permit Holders Privacy Rights

Max Brantley - It's My Fault

Concealed Carry Privacy Bill passes House 98-1