Alabama: Omnibus Firearms Reform Bill Passes Senate Committee

Today, the NRA-supported omnibus firearms bill, Senate Bill 286, was considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  After a strong summary was given by the bill sponsors, state senators Scott Beason (R-17) and Roger Bedford (D-6), the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 286 by a 7 to 1 vote.  The lone “no” vote was Senator Linda Coleman (D-20).  This bill now goes to the Senate floor for its consideration.  While SB 286 has not yet been scheduled for a Senate floor vote, please contact your state Senator and respectfully urge him or her to support SB 286.  Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.

SB 286 seeks to restore and protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners 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.
• Repeals the requirement to obtain a pistol permit in order to carry a pistol in a vehicle. (Note: this would not allow for the concealed carry in a vehicle unless a valid pistol permit is possessed.)
• Shifts the current “May Issue” concealed carry permit system to a “Shall Issue” permit system and requires that a sheriff must issue 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 appeal panel.
• A permit to carry a concealed pistol shall be good for one to five years (to be decided by the person 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.

It is imperative that you make your voice heard!  Please contact your state Senator TODAY and ask that he or she support SB 286.

NRA would like to thank the following Senators who voted in favor of Senate Bill 286:

Senator Jerry Fielding (R-11)

Senator Marc Keahey (D-22)

Senator Arthur Orr (R-3)

Senator Bryan Taylor (R-30)

Senator Cam Ward (R-14)

Senator Tom Whatley (R-27)

Senator Phil Williams (R-10)