Alabama: State House Approves Critical Omnibus Firearms Bill, Goes to Governor for his Approval

NRA-ILA ^ | 20 May, 2013 | NRA-ILA

[marktwain]

Contact Governor Bentley TODAY and ask him to sign Senate Bill 286 into law

Today, the Alabama House of Representatives accepted the conference committee report for Senate Bill 286 by a 73-28 vote.  This measure now goes to Governor Robert Bentley (R) for his approval.  While not perfect, SB 286 is an important step in the right direction for the law-abiding gun owners in Alabama and residents of other states traveling to and through Alabama.  Therefore, it is critical you contact Governor Bentley TODAY and respectfully ask him to sign Senate Bill 286 into law.

Governor Robert Bentley:

(334) 242-7100

Click here to send an email

Sponsored by state Senators Scott Beason (R-17) and Roger Bedford (D-6) and state Representative Ed Henry (R-9), SB 286, if signed into law, will continue to restore and protect the rights of responsible gun owners and sportsmen in Alabama by reforming the state gun laws in the following ways:

• Allows those who possess a valid Alabama pistol permit to keep firearms stored in their vehicle while at work, as well as allowing those who possess a valid Alabama hunting license to store an unloaded rifle or shotgun in their vehicle while at work.
• Allows transportation of a handgun in a vehicle without an Alabama pistol permit as long as the handgun is unloaded, locked in a container and out of reach of the driver or passenger.
• Shifts the current “May Issue” concealed carry permit system to a “Shall Issue” permit system and requires that a sheriff must issue or deny the carry permit within thirty days.  Should someone be denied a permit, a written denial must be provided and that applicant would have an opportunity to appeal the denial.
• A permit to carry a concealed pistol shall be good for one to five years (to be decided by the applicant seeking the carry permit).
• Requires sheriffs to use the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to conduct a background check on concealed pistol permit applicants.
• Allows for all other valid state-issued permits to carry a concealed firearm to be recognized in Alabama.
• Strengthens Alabama’s firearms preemption statute by reserving for the state legislature complete control over regulation and policy relating to firearms, ammunition and firearm accessories in order to ensure that such regulation is applied uniformly throughout the state.
• Extends the current Castle Doctrine to include places of business to ensure the right of self-defense does not end when you enter your business.

[marktwain]

The bill has overwhelming support in the legislature. Will Governor Bentley sign it?

[bamahead]

I recall reading a few months ago that many Sherrifs’ were opposed to the ‘Shall issue’ provision.

So it may depends on how much sway they hold over Bentley.

[thorvaldr]

If he doesn’t, fire the RINO.

[thorvaldr]

The government thugs oppose restraint on their power? Shocking! Maybe they should explain why they need unlimited, unconstitutional powers not given to Sherrif’s in the 34 shall issue states.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... Allows transportation of a handgun in a vehicle without an Alabama pistol permit as long as the handgun is unloaded, locked in a container and out of reach of the driver or passenger."

Interesting. Before this bill (presumably) becomes law, you needed to have an 'Alabama pistol permit' to transport a pistol within a vehicle without it being locked up. Now with the new law, those without said permit are allowed to do so as long as it's unloaded and locked up?

I don't even think California has a vehicle transport law that strict as it stands right now.

I must not be comprehending this correctly.

[marktwain]

California law is just as bad.

There are lots of bad old laws on the books that came from attempts to make sure that black people were disarmed.

[bamahead]

If I remember accurately...the current statute permits you to transport a gun in the same locked up manner without a permit, but only between your home or place of business, or between a dealer and your home. Im not where i can confirm this at the moment...but Alabama hasn’t always been a beacon for sensible firearms laws. The state legislature was lock stock and barrel controlled by Dems until 20 years ago.