(a) (1) (A) The Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police may deny a license if within the preceding five (5) years the applicant has been found guilty of one (1) or more crimes of violence constituting a misdemeanor or for the offense of carrying a weapon.

(B) The director may revoke a license if the licensee has been found guilty of one (1) or more crimes of violence within the preceding three (3) years.

(2) Subdivision (a)(1) of this section does not apply to a misdemeanor that has been expunged or for which the imposition of sentence was suspended.

(3) Upon notification by any law enforcement agency or a court and subsequent written verification, the director shall suspend a license or the processing of an application for a license if the licensee or applicant is arrested or formally charged with a crime that would disqualify the licensee or applicant from having a license under this subchapter until final disposition of the case.

(b)

(1) The director may deny a license to carry a concealed handgun if the county sheriff or chief of police, if applicable, of the applicant's place of residence or the director or the director's designee submits an affidavit that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to himself or herself or others or to the community at large, as demonstrated by past patterns of behavior or participation in an incident involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence, or if the applicant is under a criminal investigation at the time of applying for a license to carry a concealed handgun.

(2) Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of receipt of the items listed in § 5-73-311(a), the director shall:

(A) Issue the license; or

(B) Deny the application based solely on the ground that the applicant fails to qualify under the criteria listed in this subchapter.

(3)

(A) If the director denies the application, the director shall notify the applicant in writing, stating the grounds for denial.

(B) The decision of the director is subject to appeal under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.