Alabama: Omnibus Firearms Bill Sails Through the Senate

Yesterday, NRA-supported Senate Bill 286 was debated on the Senate floor for a few hours.  After consideration and votes on multiple amendments, this omnibus pro-gun legislation passed with overwhelming support by a 28 to 5 vote.  This pro-gun legislation will now go to the state House of Representatives where it may face some challenges.  Now is the time to contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support this important legislation. 

The NRA thanks the sponsors of SB 286, state senators Scott Beason (R-17) and Roger Bedford (D-6), for their hard and successful work on this bill.  The NRA also thanks the state senators who voted in support of this pro-Second Amendment measure.  While this legislation made it through the Senate, there is much work to be done in the state House.  It is critical that you make your voice heard!  Please contact your state Representative and ask him or her to support SB 286.  Contact information for your state legislator can be found here.

SB 286 seeks to restore and protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen 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.
• Creates a “car carry permit” that will be free of charge and good for life.  Currently, in order to transport a handgun in a vehicle, one must be in possession of a pistol permit.
• Shifts the current “May Issue” concealed carry permit system to a “Shall Issue” permit system and requires that a sheriff must issue or deny 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 appeals panel.
• A permit to carry a concealed pistol shall be good for one to five years (to be decided by the applicant 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.
• Extends the current Castle Doctrine to include places of business to ensure the right of self-defense does not end when you enter your business.

Your NRA-ILA will continue keeping you updated on SB 286 as it makes its way through the legislative process.