Fairfax, Va. – Alabama Governor Robert Bentley delivered a significant victory for Second Amendment rights when he signed into law comprehensive pro-gun reform legislation backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA). House Bill 47, sponsored by Rep. Chris England (D) passed the legislature with strong bipartisan support.
"This is a victory for the Second Amendment and Alabama's law-abiding gun owners," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "Among other reforms, the new law gives young people greater opportunities to learn and enjoy our firearms and hunting heritage. In doing away with the state’s intrusive pistol registration scheme, the law deals yet another blow to the Obama-Bloomberg gun control agenda."
House Bill 47 accomplishes the following reforms:
- amends Alabama's unduly restrictive minor possession of pistols law;
- repeals Alabama's duplicative and unnecessary pistol registration requirement;
- narrows a prohibited facility's authority to ban firearms outside of the building; and
- creates avenues for federally prohibited persons to seek restoration of firearm rights.
As this nation's preeminent firearm safety and training organization, the NRA works tirelessly to teach individuals how to safely and responsibly use firearms. When firearms safety is taught at an early age, it is more likely to be instilled permanently. That's why the NRA supports laws that provide the opportunity to safely handle and operate firearms.
House Bill 47 also repeals Alabama's pistol registration scheme, which represents an unnecessarily duplicative and burdensome intrusion on law-abiding gun owners. There is no indication that registration served any additional purpose apart from the record-keeping already required under federal law. Furthermore, there is no indication that it reduced crime.
"On behalf of the NRA's five-million members, I want to thank Representative Chris England for working tirelessly to achieve these reforms," added Cox. "I also want to recognize Speaker Mike Hubbard, Representatives Ed Henry and Randy Wood, along with Senators Arthur Orr, Jimmy Holley and Bobby Singleton for their leadership in protecting the Second Amendment Rights of the people of Alabama."
These reforms go into effect September 1, 2015.
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.
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