'Constitutional Carry' Handgun Bill Clears Committee, Heads To Alabama Senate Floor

MONTGOMERY, AL — Two bills that would radically impact gun laws in the state of Alabama are moving forward after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

As Patch previously reported, Senate Bill 1 is sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen, a Republican from Tuscaloosa who has for a decade pushed for the state to repeal its requirement for pistol permits for concealed carry and in vehicles.

The other piece of legislation — SB2 — seeks to prohibit the state and its agencies from participating in the enforcement of any "federal act, law, order, rule, or regulation relating to firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition, and would provide criminal penalties for a violation."

While I wrote last week about the House version of the bill that it is unclear exactly what legal hurdles such a bill would need to clear to become law, the proposed legislation in SB2 asserts that while the federal government maintains the right to enforce interstate gun laws, the state should be able to reserve the authority to regulate guns, ammunition and accessories made in Alabama, so long as they don't leave Alabama.

After receiving favorable reports in committee, both pieces of legislation will now head to the Senate floor for debate and consideration.

“I am pleased with the efficient progress we’ve made in the Senate to move these two bills along in the legislative process, and I am proud that Senate Republicans are dedicated to working diligently to defend the rights of Alabamians," Allen said in a statement on Wednesday. "I am eager to work with my colleagues to pass these pro-Second Amendment bills and to implement safeguards that are critical to the protection of our God-given right to bear arms.”

A large segment of the population, however, isn't as excited about the bill's progress. Detractors, including the Alabama Sheriff's Association, argue that the repeal of the pistol permit requirement would only make a difficult job that much harder for police. Apart from that, others claim easing restrictions on gun owners would ultimately result in more guns on the street.

As I previously reported, Alabama is one of the top states for gun ownership and firearms theft in the entire country, along with several other states lauded as examples for having repealed pistol permit requirements. And as a large number of assaults and murders are committed with stolen guns each year, opponents of Allen's bill have a simple argument: more guns will ultimately result in more thefts, with more gun thefts resulting in more violent crimes committed with stolen guns.

Supporters, however, insist that making it easier for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights would have no impact on crime rates or instances of violence. If anything, they argue, it would actually make communities safer.

“The Second Amendment affords protection to an American individual’s right to possess a firearm and to use that firearm for traditionally lawful purposes," Allen said. "As an elected official who swore to uphold the constitutions of this state and country, I will always do everything in my power to preserve the rights of Alabamians, especially those granted by the Second Amendment."

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com