The Alabama State Legislature reconvened this week, Tuesday, March 25, after a short spring break. The legislature got down to business with the introduction of “No-Net-Loss” legislation. This is a welcome addition to the following NRA-backed measures:
Right to Carry Reform
House Bill 339, “Emergency Powers” legislation, sponsored by State Representative Marc Keahey (D-65), would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. HB339 is currently in the House Judiciary Committee and expected to have its third reading in the coming days.
House Bill 512, “Worker Protection” legislation, sponsored by State Representative David Grimes (R-73), would ensure that employees are able to protect themselves as they travel to and from work by allowing them to store their firearms in their locked vehicles while parked on their publicly accessible employer’s parking lot. HB512 is currently in the House Judiciary Committee pending a second reading.
House Bill 700, “Handgun Permit Confidentiality” legislation sponsored by State Representative Jack Page (D-29), would restrict public access to the records of concealed handgun permit holders and prohibit their publication. HB700 is currently in the House Judiciary Committee pending a first reading.
On Wednesday, March 26, the following “University Carry” legislation were defeated in the Senate Education Committee: Senate Bill 18, sponsored by State Senator Henry “Hank” Erwin, Jr. (R-14), which would have authorized a student at a state-supported college or university to carry a firearm on campus if he or she has a permit to carry a concealed handgun, is in good standing with the institution, and has completed an approved course on “gun skills.” Senate Bill 27, also introduced by Senator Erwin, would have prohibited state-supported colleges and universities from adopting policies prohibiting professors from carrying a firearm on campus if they have permits to carry firearms. Finally, Senate Bill 271, also authored by Senator Erwin, would have authorized professors at state-supported colleges and universities to carry a firearm on the campus of the college or university at which the professor is employed, so long as the professor has a permit to carry a firearm.
Hunting
Senate Bill 156, sponsored by State Senator Rusty Glover (R-34), would create a special disabled person's hunting license available for $1 during the period of total disability. SB156 is currently in the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
Senate Bill 484, “No Net Loss” legislation, sponsored by State Senator Lowell Barron (D-08), would require the State of Alabama to have a base line number of public hunting acres that are always open to hunting, guaranteeing that future generations have the same hunting opportunities that are enjoyed today.
It is important that you contact your State Legislators in support of the remaining pro-gun measures; HB339, HB512, HB700, SB516, and SB484. Your State Representative can be reached at (334) 242-7600 and your State Senator can be reached at (334) 242-7800. To identify your State Legislators, or for more contact information, please click here.
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