UPDATE - Headline changed, votes were 4 for 2 against. You need 5 to get out of committee.

Thanks to Sen Wilkins of Pine Bluff, HB 1237 The bill that would remove churches from the list of prohibited places in the concealed carry statute, died in the Senate Committee on Judiciary on a 4-2 vote.

After the bill failed in committee last time, the bill was amended. Instead of the version we believe was most appropriate, which would remove churches from the list altogether, it would have now included churches on the list of prohibited places but allow churches to allow CHL holders to carry on their property if they chose to.

This was done over a concern that churches would have been required to place a sign at every entrance proclaiming, "the carrying of hanguns is prohibited."

Then there was the Church shooting in Illinois.

After this Senator Wilkins made the remark that he honestly didn't know how he felt about it and that he could change his mind.

He also said he wanted to hear more testimony on behalf of the bill, so we brought him ten people to speak on behalf of the bill, eight of them were pastors. Some came from as far away as Springdale. They all came to speak on behalf of the bill mostly because Sen, Wilkins told us that he "wasn't sure." He honestly wasn't sure and wanted to know how other pastors felt. He wanted to hear from these people.

So in a good faith effort we tried to meet him half way, even sacrificing some language in the bill we believed wasn't the best option. We knew we had 4 votes we just needed to convince him that this really mattered to people and that we didn't want to let an Illinois church shooting happen here.

So just before HB1237 was heard, Sen Wilkins's bill regarding stalking was being discussed and the hearing became contentious. His bill failed in committee. When he was done with his bill he got up and walked out.

He just walked out. And he didn't come back untill after the vote was taken on HB 1237.

My friends, that's what we call cowardice.

He didn't even have the courage to give the bill it's full hearing like he promised us. Which left all the people who came to testify from all over the state dumbfounded. These people came from all over Arkansas to testify for his benefit and at his request!

I mean, they were here because he wanted to hear from them.

We'll Sen Wilkins, they heard from you loud and clear, even if you didn't feel like hearing from them.

So we want you to make him hear you.

Why didn't you give the bill the full hearing it deserved? That you said you wanted?

You can contact Sen. Wilkins at 870-536-6366 or email him here. And respectfully ask, why did you skip the hearing on HB 1237?

Update - Fox 16 reports. They don't mention Sen. Wilkins shirking his duties to Arkansans as a voting member of the Senate.

It's his job to give an up or down vote!

I have a call in to Senator Wilkins's office seeking an official comment about his actions in committee today. The aid that took my call was very polite, we'll see if I get a response.

Hello, Keep and Bear Arms readers! I Hope you'll bookmark us and keep coming back to see what's going on in Arkansas concerning our 2nd Amendment rights.

I'll be "twittering" the committee hearing on HB1623 so if you follow us on Twitter check it out around 10AM (CST) or so.