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You are correct that it has nothing to do with "license", but here is why. Arkansas is a constitutional carry state. You do not need licenses to own, open carry, or concealed carry a firearm. There are certain areas that you can not carry but they are few (schools, hospitals, clinics that treat mentally ill/children, Federal buildings, most state government buildings, etc.)
This will come to an issue of Castle Doctrine. CD is similar to stand your ground but also expands to protecting your possessions and properties, not just your own life (or your family's). I see by your profile that you are, or were, in California. You guys have a VERY restrictive Castle Doctrine. Arkansas has a VERY permissive castle doctrine. You aren't as restrictive as Hawaii or New York, and Arkansas isn't as permissive as Texas... but it is close.
In Arkansas (my birth state and home for 25 years), if someone steps onto your property and they are unwelcome, they are trespassing. You must clearly state that they are unwelcome. This can be as sign, a locked gate, or even just shouting out your window. And then, if given reasonable time and means to exit your property... if they choose NOT TO EXIT.... well, it's **** ****.
Now, of course, as in ALL cases heard by a court... what you have the right to do is entirely up to your motivation. For instance, if you have murder on your mind... you can't "lure" someone onto your property for the express purpose of killing them. That is murder and you'll get a needle in your arm in Arkansas. So, it comes down to whether or not the DA can establish a nefarious motive. If the jury or judge believes that Taylor was merely reacting to an unwanted intruder/trespasser, he'll never see the inside of a cell.
I know this is a long post, but I really think matters like this should be resolved when a debate is started between two sides and neither knows what they're talking about.
This will come to an issue of Castle Doctrine. CD is similar to stand your ground but also expands to protecting your possessions and properties, not just your own life (or your family's). I see by your profile that you are, or were, in California. You guys have a VERY restrictive Castle Doctrine. Arkansas has a VERY permissive castle doctrine. You aren't as restrictive as Hawaii or New York, and Arkansas isn't as permissive as Texas... but it is close.
In Arkansas (my birth state and home for 25 years), if someone steps onto your property and they are unwelcome, they are trespassing. You must clearly state that they are unwelcome. This can be as sign, a locked gate, or even just shouting out your window. And then, if given reasonable time and means to exit your property... if they choose NOT TO EXIT.... well, it's **** ****.
Now, of course, as in ALL cases heard by a court... what you have the right to do is entirely up to your motivation. For instance, if you have murder on your mind... you can't "lure" someone onto your property for the express purpose of killing them. That is murder and you'll get a needle in your arm in Arkansas. So, it comes down to whether or not the DA can establish a nefarious motive. If the jury or judge believes that Taylor was merely reacting to an unwanted intruder/trespasser, he'll never see the inside of a cell.
I know this is a long post, but I really think matters like this should be resolved when a debate is started between two sides and neither knows what they're talking about.
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