Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, has pre-filed a bill to end a requirement that he said is an improper limit on the constitutional right to bear arms, according to a news release.
“It’s time we give our citizens the right to bear arms without first seeking the government’s permission,” Allen said.
Alabama already allows people to openly carry a holstered pistol without a permit. Allen said there is no logical reason to continue the permit requirement for carrying a concealed pistol.
SB 24 has significant support in the Alabama Senate. Yellowhammer State
Senate Republicans released a set of six goals on February 6th, for the 2017 session. One of them was to pass “permitless” carry. From alsenaterepublicans.com:
Permitless Carry
Ten states across the country allow their citizens to carry guns without a permit, and Senate Republicans believe Alabamians should have a similarly unimpeded right to protect their families and property.
Therefore, a repeal of the requirement for a conceal carry permit shall be a priority in the 2017 session. Alabamians could still apply for a pistol permit in order to carry a gun in states like Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida that have reciprocity laws with Alabama.
A pistol permit holder would also retain the benefit of foregoing a background check when purchasing firearms.
Alabama is a Republican trifecta. There are 72 Republicans, 31 Democrats and two vacancies in the Alabama House. There are 26 Republicans, eight Democrats and one Independent in the Senate Governor Robert J. Bentley is a Republican.
In 2015, Governor Bentley ordered the removal of signs banning the carry of guns at Alabama rest stops. In 2016, he signed a bill that eliminated the fees for concealed carry permits for retired military personnel. In 2010, while running for Governor, he made this campaign promise:
The Second Amendment clearly grants every American the right to own firearms. As Governor I will protect each Alabamian’s right to legally purchase, own, carry, and use firearms.
Ten states have restored the freedom to carry without a permit: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, West Virginia and Wyoming. (Vermont never required a permit to carry a firearm.) In addition, the New Hampshire legislature recently passed a Constitutional carry bill. Governor Sununu is expected to sign it any day.
Several other legislatures are considering Constitutional carry bills in 2017: Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Texas, Virgina, Utah, and Wisconsin. Alabama could well become the 13th State with Constitutional carry.
©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Gun Watch