Chugach
Member
GOOD NEWS! 
Significance:
The municipality of Anchorage will follow Alaska state law instead of enforcing more restrictive municipal CCW ordinance!
This is especially noteworthy since the newly elected mayor is a Democrat!
Background:
This is an editorial from The Voice of the Times, a conservative opinion/editorial page within the far more liberal Anchorage Daily News. TVotT is the sole remnant of the conservative Anchorage Times which was eliminated in competition against the ADN (a cog in the McClatchy publishing empire).
Voice of the Times (within the Anchorage Daily News)
(Published: September 26, 2003)
MAYOR MAKES WISE CHOICE ON . . .Gun law
MAYOR MARK BEGICH made the right decision when he opted to have the city enforce the new state law on carrying concealed weapons rather than the more stringent Anchorage ordinance.
A long overdue state statute that went into effect this month allows law-abiding Alaskans to carry defensive weapons, not just handguns, concealed without a permit.
While the new law allows Alaskans to finally exercise their Second Amendment rights without asking the state for permission, the highly successful concealed weapons permit system - which requires classroom training and shooting qualification - will remain in effect so that permit holders can avail themselves of reciprocity offered by an increasing number of states.
But when the new law took effect there was a fly in the ointment causing some confusion. Anchorage for some years has had an ordinance on the books requiring anybody carrying a concealed weapon to have the state permit. A legal opinion requested by Assemblyman Dick Traini and issued by the municipal attorney's office concluded the city could, indeed, enforce its ordinance, making the concealed carry of a weapon without a state-issued permit illegal.
The question was: Which standard would be used in Anchorage? After talking to Traini and others, the mayor did the right thing. Begich chief of staff David Ramseur said the mayor is opting to enforce the state law, but hopes that those who carry without a permit will educate themselves first.
All of this is better than good news for advocates of Second Amendment rights. But Begich is correct in urging those who carry concealed without a state permit to find a way to learn the ins and outs of self-defense laws, in which locations weapons are banned, gun safety and myriad other pieces of information that go along with this important right. And there is much to learn. Those carrying a concealed weapon, for instance, must immediately tell police officers who approach them in an official capacity that they are armed.
It is just common sense that a person who chooses to carry a weapon do so in a responsible manner. To do otherwise is to play into the hands of those who oppose the exercise of Second Amendment rights.
Perhaps the National Rifle Association or the Anchorage police or state troopers could set up a course for a nominal fee to teach the basics of concealed carry and the state law so that those who do not seek a state permit can at least get the basic education required of permit holders.
The state law is a giant step toward recognizing a basic constitutional right, and Begich's decision not to thwart it in Anchorage is good news.
Significance:
The municipality of Anchorage will follow Alaska state law instead of enforcing more restrictive municipal CCW ordinance!
This is especially noteworthy since the newly elected mayor is a Democrat!
Background:
This is an editorial from The Voice of the Times, a conservative opinion/editorial page within the far more liberal Anchorage Daily News. TVotT is the sole remnant of the conservative Anchorage Times which was eliminated in competition against the ADN (a cog in the McClatchy publishing empire).
Voice of the Times (within the Anchorage Daily News)
(Published: September 26, 2003)
MAYOR MAKES WISE CHOICE ON . . .Gun law
MAYOR MARK BEGICH made the right decision when he opted to have the city enforce the new state law on carrying concealed weapons rather than the more stringent Anchorage ordinance.
A long overdue state statute that went into effect this month allows law-abiding Alaskans to carry defensive weapons, not just handguns, concealed without a permit.
While the new law allows Alaskans to finally exercise their Second Amendment rights without asking the state for permission, the highly successful concealed weapons permit system - which requires classroom training and shooting qualification - will remain in effect so that permit holders can avail themselves of reciprocity offered by an increasing number of states.
But when the new law took effect there was a fly in the ointment causing some confusion. Anchorage for some years has had an ordinance on the books requiring anybody carrying a concealed weapon to have the state permit. A legal opinion requested by Assemblyman Dick Traini and issued by the municipal attorney's office concluded the city could, indeed, enforce its ordinance, making the concealed carry of a weapon without a state-issued permit illegal.
The question was: Which standard would be used in Anchorage? After talking to Traini and others, the mayor did the right thing. Begich chief of staff David Ramseur said the mayor is opting to enforce the state law, but hopes that those who carry without a permit will educate themselves first.
All of this is better than good news for advocates of Second Amendment rights. But Begich is correct in urging those who carry concealed without a state permit to find a way to learn the ins and outs of self-defense laws, in which locations weapons are banned, gun safety and myriad other pieces of information that go along with this important right. And there is much to learn. Those carrying a concealed weapon, for instance, must immediately tell police officers who approach them in an official capacity that they are armed.
It is just common sense that a person who chooses to carry a weapon do so in a responsible manner. To do otherwise is to play into the hands of those who oppose the exercise of Second Amendment rights.
Perhaps the National Rifle Association or the Anchorage police or state troopers could set up a course for a nominal fee to teach the basics of concealed carry and the state law so that those who do not seek a state permit can at least get the basic education required of permit holders.
The state law is a giant step toward recognizing a basic constitutional right, and Begich's decision not to thwart it in Anchorage is good news.
