Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr is standing by his decision to sign a bill into law while Governor Mike Beebe was out of the state on business. Act 145 bans the public release of concealed handgun license records.
The bill would have become law with or without a signature since Beebe didn't veto it, but Darr wanted it put into effect immediately. Beebe says the lieutenant governor embarrassed himself by doing this. "I will be much more careful, [because] people like that you have to watch. You can't turn your back on them" he said.
Darr stands by his actions, saying, “it is important to remember that Act 145 received a tremendous amount of support from the Arkansas legislature."