Alabama: Voters Come Out In Strong Support Of Alabama's Hunting Heritage and Second Amendment Rights

Sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters in Alabama have reason to celebrate after voters ratified the NRA-backed Right to Hunt and Fish state constitutional amendment by an overwhelming 80 percent on Election Day.  Thank you to all who supported the NRA’s efforts to pass this meaningful pro-hunting amendment.  As a result, current and future generations of sportsmen in Alabama will enjoy permanent protection of our rich hunting heritage.

Amendment 5 ensures that wildlife management is based on sound science in order to promote wildlife conservation and preserve the future of hunting by adding the following language to the Alabama Constitution:

The people have a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, subject to reasonable regulations, to promote wildlife conservation and management, and to preserve the future of hunting and fishing. Hunting by the public and fishing by the public shall be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This amendment shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to eminent domain, trespass, or property rights.

We also thank state Representative Mark Tuggle (R-81) for sponsoring this constitutional amendment during the 2014 legislative session.  HB 322 passed in the Alabama Senate by a 32 to 1 vote and the state House of Representatives by a 90 to 2 vote.  

Also approved by Alabama voters, was NRA-backed Amendment 3 to strengthen the state’s existing Right to Keep and Bear Arms amendment. The words “fundamental” and “strict scrutiny” will now be added to that amendment in Alabama’s state constitution. “Strict scrutiny” is a standard of judicial review, which provides the highest level of protection for constitutional rights.

Thank you to all NRA members who voted on Election Day and supported the Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Wildlife as well as the fundamental right to Bear Arms.  As you enter the woods this fall, your NRA-ILA wishes you a safe and successful hunting season.