LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Under Arkansas law, citizens are allowed to carry handguns in public with a valid license. That license is called the concealed carry license, meaning it must be hidden from view. But to get that license, there are some requirements such as completing a training course and submitting an application to the Arkansas State Police.
Set in a warehouse just off Highway 64 in Conway is a full service gun range that offers just about every type of firearm training you can get called Shoothouse USA.
Every Saturday morning at 9 am, almost every chair in their classroom is taken.
Shoothouse USA owner Tom DuPriest is one of the three hundred instructors in the state who administer the six-hour course required to receive a concealed carry license.
"In November and December of this past year, record sales. Not just record handgun sales, record firearm sales, record number of females registering firearms for two consecutive months," says DuPriest.
The class begins with a little paperwork, taking fingerprints, followed by four hours of classroom instruction.
"We go through very specifically the places you can and can't carry that are outlined in the Arkansas statute. It's either a shock that they can carry in as many places as they can or it's a disappointment that it's more restrictive than what they planned on," says DuPriest.
In Arkansas, schools, churches, government offices, police departments and athletic events are just a few of the places firearms are not allowed.
"You are going to be required to know these," says instructor, Rodney Tindall. "They will not necessarily have a sign posted outside and it's your responsibility to keep up with these."
"The aspect that surprised me the most is the number of female shooters that are coming in. We've projected about 20% of the base to be female and that number is trending at about forty percent," says DuPriest.
Jessica Hicks is a flight attendant and mother who is taking the class along with her husband.
"We came up here once a couple of weeks ago and that was my first time to shoot," says Hicks.
Her reason for wanting a concealed carry permit?
"I have a small child and my husband is in the military so he's deployed. I just want that reassurance for my safety and for my family," says Hicks.
After taking the course, you must complete a qualification shoot with an instructor.
"You're going to shoot ten rounds at this target at ten feet," says DuPriest.
The requirements vary with each instructor, but Shoothouse chooses a simple, effective target. At ten feet, you must shoot ten rounds at an 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper. Eight of those rounds must hit the target.
DuPriest says it sounds easy but they choose that target for a reason.
"Eight and a half by eleven is representative of the highest center chest on the bad guy. Most critical instances happen inside of fifteen feet so at ten feet if you shoot at the bad guy ten times and put eight holes in him, you have a pretty good chance at winning a gun fight," says DuPriest.
Learning the basics of shooting is only the beginning. An application, a certificate for completing the course, along with a $150, is sent to Arkansas State Police headquarters and processed by Lieutenant Cora Gentry and her team.
"We do the state background, we do what's called a NICS background which is national instant checks system through the FBI and then we also send the fingerprint base check off and once it gets back then we process the application from there," says Lt. Gentry.
If you've been convicted of any violent crimes, are a felon, or have other outstanding legal issues, you will be denied. Your license is valid for 5 years and can be renewed. However, if you commit any violent crimes, your license may be revoked.
"It is extensive and we do dig to the bottom of things and sometimes that's why it does take a little bit longer for some people," says Lt. Gentry.
DuPriest says he is satisfied with Arkansas' concealed carry law. Other states have open carry laws meaning anyone can carry a weapon in plain sight. But DuPriest says by carrying concealed, he doesn't lose his tactical advantage to the bad guy.
"Arkansas is a very liberal state in terms of comparing us to other states. Our laws and statutes are very much in favor of the individual and the right to protect and defend themselves," says DuPriest.
As for Hicks, she says protection is her number one priority.
Arkansas State Police has lots of information about getting your Arkansas conceal carry license online.