Alabama concealed carry reform- contact the Legislature!

[BTR]

There is package of good gun law changes that the NRA is trying to get passed in the state:
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Senate Bill 129 and House Bill 55

No employer may prohibit the otherwise lawful possession, transportation or storage of firearms or ammunition that is kept out of sight within the locked or attended private means of conveyance of an invitee who is otherwise permitted to operate or park the conveyance on the property.

Removes the requirement to obtain a pistol permit to carry a pistol in a vehicle.

Shifts the current “May Issue” concealed carry permitting system to a “Shall Issue” permitting system and requires that a sheriff must issue the permit within thirty days as long as the person applying for the permit is not prohibited by federal law.

The permit to carry a concealed pistol shall be good for one to five years (decided by the person seeking the permit to carry).

States that sheriffs shall use the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to run a background check on a concealed pistol permit applicant.

Allows for all other valid state-issued permits to carry a concealed firearm to be recognized in Alabama.

Strengthens Alabama’s current firearms preemption by giving the state legislature complete control over regulation and policy pertaining to firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories in order to ensure that such regulation and policy is applied uniformly throughout the state.

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Please write your Representatives and Senators NOW about it.

Find their contact info here:
Contact info by zip code


Letter I wrote:


Dear XXXXX,

As a resident of Alabama, I wanted to urge you to support House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 129. Alabama's gun laws are in need of reform. They are still tainted by the racist ideas of long ago.

Among the problems the bill addresses:

Carrying guns for protection is a right protected by the Alabama state constitution. However, current law allows a Sherriff to deny any person of a concealed carry permit for ANY reason whatsoever! In the past this enabled racist Sherriffs to deny carry permits to black Alabamians, including Martin Luther King. Today, it is still just as open for abuse by Sherriffs as it ever was. Sherriffs may also create any irrational restrictions on permits they want, with no oversight.

It is totally illegal for a person to transport a pistol, even one unloaded and locked up, to a pistol range, unless the person has a pistol carry permit. This makes no sense; the law is undoubtedly violated hundreds of times a day in the state by innocent people who have no idea it is actually illegal to lock an unloaded pistol in your trunk and take it to a shooting range without state permission.

Our pistol permits are only good for one year. This is a completely pointless administrative burden for everyone.

Employers can fire us if we keep a pistol locked in our cars in a company parking lot. Even though I have a permit, I can't carry on my long drive to work because of this. It's none of our employers business if we want to keep a pistol in our car, any more than it is there business if we want to keep a Bible in our car.

Please vote for this bill in the same form the NRA is requesting. Please let me know your position on this bill.

Sincerely,

BTR

[G'dale Mike]

Thanks, excellent post, as I'm in Al also.

[P.B.Walsh]

Great stuff, I will be writing both of mine after church!

Did not know the trips to the range with an unloaded pistol was illegal!

[Bhamrichard]

Been monitoring this one since it came up, currently it's in committee. I've already contacted all of my representatives, and those of the committee. I'm hopeful this one won't be killed prior to reaching the floor for a vote.

http://www.legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB129

There are also others that have been introduced in Alabama, though none offer such sweeping changes. Those are:

http://legiscan.com/AL/bill/HB8 Requires strict scrutiny for certain denials of rights
http://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB24 Firearms in motor vehicles on employer property

SB129 is the most interesting, as it contains provisions that are inclusive of HB8 and SB24.

Hmm, SB165 is one that I wasn't aware of, just popped up in an Alison search.
http://legiscan.com/AL/bill/SB165 Use of deadly force authorized on a business premise by employee/owner... more to it

[Stress_Test]

Good stuff, keep us posted.

Thanks

[Tommygunn]

Message sent!

[BTR]

I got a message back from my senator.

He said it sounded good, except for the parking lot provision.

He was afraid of violating the rights of the property owners.

How should I respond?

[Walkalong]

Good news. Lets put the pressure on. Crossed fingers here.

[razorback2003]

Make sure someone doesn't slip in one of those bills making it illegal to carry at a school with your license, since that is legal in AL.

You guys have it pretty good down there.

[miller.lyte]

Carry with license only at K-12 schools, right? Thought I read somewhere it doesn't apply to universities. Right?

[Stress_Test]

Originally Posted by BTR

I got a message back from my senator.

He said it sounded good, except for the parking lot provision.

He was afraid of violating the rights of the property owners.

How should I respond?

I'd say if they have to give up that one part in order to pass the others, that's still a victory. I wouldn't want one issue to torpedo all the other benefits. Just my opinion.

[TenDriver]

Originally Posted by razorback2003

Make sure someone doesn't slip in one of those bills making it illegal to carry at a school with your license, since that is legal in AL.

You guys have it pretty good down there.

That was partially attempted before. I say "partially" as the sponsoring representative dropped the idea when he began receiving a lot of feedback on the issue. I was one of many who called him out about the idea. I had to eat crow about him since he called many people that wrote to him and listened to what they had to say, then went on a local radio show to announce that he was dropping the measure and didn't see the need in it. I was impressed.

I don't know how it is in other counties in AL, but the "may issue" might as well be "shall issue" for all intents and purposes. The Madison County Sheriff was on the radio talking about this topic the other day. He is against shall issue because he is concerned he will be required to issue permits to those who have come in frequent negative contact with his department (read - criminal in the making) and doesn't want to be forced to issue a permit to someone who is on their radar. I can see his point. Given that if you apply for a permit, you will get it as long as you're not on his radar, I don't have a problem with him using his discretion. He has shown he doesn't abuse it.

Maybe the same can't be said for other counties, but the system isn't broke up here at the present time. My only desire for change in AL is for open carry language to be spelled out one way or another. Ambiguity has caused arrest.

[jerryv]

I think part of the problem with the Al. law now is that the sheriff can issue or not issue to any they choose. they can interpet the law and inforce it almost any way they want. they can put their own restrections on a permit.

I think it was posetd that the limestone county sheriff has made the statement that if there was a call of a man with a gun that he would pull the persons carry permit and the person would not get it back. even though the person was open carrying legal and not causing any problem.

I hope the part in the bill that forbids the sheriff, police chief, mayor or any other local official from making their own rules and regulations about guns, becomes law.
The sheriffs are lining up against this part because it will demenish their ability to apply their personal gun control power.

[BTR]

The potential for abuse with "may issue" is huge!

It doesn't matter if a sherriff applies it "fairly"- that might not always be the case...

Martin Luther King Jr. was denied a carry permit before his murder... I wonder why?

[Johnny Dollar]

The "may issue" issue is Alabama's only sticking point, although, unlike the other 7 may issue states, it is almost tantamount to shall issue. But I agree ,almost does not quite make it.

Alabama is a bright spot in a darkening universe right now. May it continue to show the light. I believe "The Heart of Dixie" always will.

Roll Tide!

[xm1]

Does anyone know if you can carry openly a pistol with a permit at your workplace in Alabama?
Thanks

[Johnny Dollar]

If your employer does not object,yes, IMO.

[xm1]

Thanks!
So it's not against the law? Anyone know for sure?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just checked
www.opencarry.org

And the AL AG summary. Per that, you are good to go,employer willing. Good luck!

[xm1]

Thanks!! Apreciate it.

[Bhamrichard]

SB129 has been consolidated as SB286, and submitted to the Judiciary committee.. SB286 was PASSED by a 7-1 vote.. It will now be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor at some point in the future.

Alabama Omnibus Firearms Reform Bill http://nraila.org/legislation/state-...committee.aspx

SB 286 seeks to restore and protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Alabama by addressing the following issues:

No employer may prohibit the otherwise lawful possession, transportation or storage of firearms or ammunition that is kept out of sight within a locked or attended private vehicle of an invitee who is otherwise permitted to operate or park that vehicle on the property. This would allow employees to carry a firearm during their commute to and from work.

Repeals the requirement to obtain a pistol permit in order to carry a pistol in a vehicle. (Note: this would not allow for the concealed carry in a vehicle unless a valid pistol permit is possessed.)

Shifts the current “May Issue” concealed carry permit system to a “Shall Issue” permit system and requires that a sheriff must issue 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 appear before an appeal panel.

A permit to carry a concealed pistol shall be good for one to five years (to be decided by the person 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.


Contact your Reps and lets get this puppy passed!

[Feanaro]

Shot off a letter to my Senator and put out plea for friends and family to do the same.

[hermannr]

BTR: Answer the parking lot response with..well, my vehicle is MY private property is it not?

[mdauben]

Contact your Reps and lets get this puppy passed!

Done! We already have it pretty good in AL, but I think this bill will provide for some welcome improvements in our laws.

[AlbertH]

Originally Posted by TenDriver

That was partially attempted before. I say "partially" as the sponsoring representative dropped the idea when he began receiving a lot of feedback on the issue. I was one of many who called him out about the idea. I had to eat crow about him since he called many people that wrote to him and listened to what they had to say, then went on a local radio show to announce that he was dropping the measure and didn't see the need in it. I was impressed.

I don't know how it is in other counties in AL, but the "may issue" might as well be "shall issue" for all intents and purposes. The Madison County Sheriff was on the radio talking about this topic the other day. He is against shall issue because he is concerned he will be required to issue permits to those who have come in frequent negative contact with his department (read - criminal in the making) and doesn't want to be forced to issue a permit to someone who is on their radar. I can see his point. Given that if you apply for a permit, you will get it as long as you're not on his radar, I don't have a problem with him using his discretion. He has shown he doesn't abuse it.

Maybe the same can't be said for other counties, but the system isn't broke up here at the present time. My only desire for change in AL is for open carry language to be spelled out one way or another. Ambiguity has caused arrest.

So basically the Sheriff wants the right to profile...and thus be allowed to pick and choose whether a person has the very same 2nd amendment rights some say are already Infringed? It sure sounds like this Sheriff only believes in the 2nd amendment some of the time and you are ok with this??