Alabama: Pro-Gun Bills on the Move as 2011 Session Winds Down

Today, Senate Bill 369 passed in the state House by a 78 to 5 vote.  It is now en route to Secretary Beth Chapman’s office to be placed on the 2012 general election ballot.  SB 369, sponsored by state Senator Dick Brewbaker (R-25), if ratified by voters next year would reauthorize the Forever Wild Land trust for a 20-year period.  Through the reauthorization of the Forever Wild Land Trust, Alabamians can experience the great wild lands and wildlife of the state.  Sportsmen have benefited immensely from this critical program, opening up tens of thousands of acres teeming with wildlife.  These lands are protected in perpetuity and will provide countless hunting opportunities for generations to come. 

House Bill 450, Fraudulent Firearms Purchase Prevention legislation, passed unanimously in the Alabama Senate by a 28 to 0 vote.  HB 450 will now go to Governor Robert Bentley for approval.  Sponsored by state Representative Steve Hurst (R-35), HB 450 would protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Bloomberg has sent hired agents into other states to attempt illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country. 

Please contact Governor Bentley and respectfully urge him to sign HB 450 into law.  He can be reached by sending him an e-mail message here.

Also today, House Bill 445 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a voice vote and has been scheduled to be read for a third and final time in the Alabama Senate on Thursday, June 9.  House Bill 445, Firearms Destruction Prevention legislation, sponsored by state Representative Blaine Galliher (R-30), has been amended with NRA-backed language to require a firearm obtained by law enforcement to be transferred and sold at a public auction by the Department of Public Safety with proceeds being deposited into the general fund.  Prior to the sale, the Department of Public Safety must use reasonable efforts to determine and return a firearm to its lawful owner if was lost or stolen.

Please contact your state Senator and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 445.  All state Senators can be contacted by calling (334) 242-7800.  Further contact information for your state Senator can be found here.