Arkansas Teens Face Fingerprinting

Driver’s license applicants younger than 18 would have to be fingerprinted under an anti-crime bill passed Friday by the state House.

Opponents unsuccessfully argued that the measure would create a “Big Brother” atmosphere for teen-agers. The bill passed the Democratically controlled House 67-26.

Youth crime is “the fastest-growing crime we have, and in most cases the most violent,” said Democratic Rep. Claud Cash, the bill’s sponsor.

The fingerprints would be stored in a new, $6 million police computer.

The bill faces its next test in the Senate, also controlled by Democrats. Its chances there weren’t immediately clear.