Arkansas Senator Trent Garner and Representative Rebecca Petty tried to pass a Halloween bill that would prohibit certain persons required to register from distributing candy on Halloween, dressing in costume, etc. A violation would be a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison.

According to Arkansas Online Petty cited sex-offender data from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Arkansas Crime Information Center, but did not provide statistics specifically about crimes committed by sex offenders on Halloween.

Fortunately, Rep. Andrew Collins showed up informed and asked Petty if she was aware of studies that showed “zero increase” in sex offender crimes on Halloween. “I do not have that answer,” Petty said. She then called on Arkansas Crime Information Center Administrator Brad Cozart to answer the question for the committee. Cozart said he did not “have any hard data” specific to Halloween crimes by registered sex offenders.

People are beginning to wise up!

A special thanks to Arkansas Time After Time (a anti-registry advocate organization from that state) for showing up and  speaking out against the proposed new law. Also, kudos to Rep. Collins for paying attention to the research.

 

 

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