Arkansas Municipal Police Association annual conference

I spoke to the AMPA annual conference at lunch today, which is being held here in Texarkana. I polled them on a couple of hot issues since, like me, they're largely gun collectors, hunters, etc. On the revisions to the "castle doctrine," it's largely split. About half believe deadly force should be authorized upon unlawful entry of a home or business. On open carry (being able to carry guns openly on your hip), no one supported it. That's probably not news, though, in this law enforcement crowd. The issues most important to them include an increase of spousal benefits for officers killed in the line of duty, and modifications to LOPFI (retirement) to ensure that those in the old system are fully funded (see SB178 that failed in the 2009 session). Next up is Cooter from the Duke Boys.