Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Senate passed SB286 today which will now go to the House of Representatives. This bill, sponsored by Senator Scott Beason (R-Gardendale), proposes to allow firearms to be carried in a vehicle with a free lifetime permit so long as the carrier does not present a threat. This bill also proposes to clarify parts of existing Alabama law to strengthen citizens’ right to carry a firearm. Debate on this bill began late Tuesday.
“This bill has received an overwhelming positive response from fellow Senators and my constituents and I am thrilled that all sides were able to work together. I feel this is the first step to further protect our second amendment rights and I am proud to have sponsored such an important bill,” says Senator Scott Beason.
ALGOP Chairman Bill Armistead praised the new firearms bill.
“I want to thank Senator Scott Beason for his steadfast leadership in getting this bill through the Senate. He is a true patriot who wants to protect all Alabamians and their Second Amendment rights. Senator Beason diligently and patiently worked through the legislative process with all sides before finalizing this important piece of legislation. The liberal interests have tried for years to take away our constitutional gun rights, but this will not happen in Alabama as long as Republicans control the legislature.
“I have every confidence that the House will pass this bill and send it to the Governor for his signature. Republicans have kept their pledge to ‘Defend Our Rights’ during this legislative year. Defending our constitutional rights is the most important thing we can do here in Alabama. Since many of the liberals in Washington seem to have no regard for our constitution, it is incumbent upon the states to protect our own. And, that is what the Alabama Legislature has done.
“I believe that every law abiding citizen has a right to defend and protect themselves without bureaucratic government interference. Alabama has taken the first step to protect freedom, I hope that other states can follow our lead,” concludes Chairman Armistead.
A few main components of the bill are: Amends current law to state that the carrying a visible, holstered firearm in a public place is not a violation of state law; Creates a free, lifetime revocable permit for carrying a firearm in a vehicle only; Includes an “open carry” provision that does not restrict a person’s right to carry a pistol un-concealed or not in a vehicle; Creates a requirement that a public or private employer may not restrict or prohibit the transportation or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm in an employee’s privately-owned motor vehicle while parked in a public or private parking area if that employee satisfies certain conditions; Allows owners of property open to the public to post adequate notice prohibiting firearms and have violators, including licensed carriers, arrested for trespassing if the individual refuses to leave when asked in the presence of a law enforcement agent; and expands the “Castle Doctrine” to businesses, allowing for the use of deadly force in self-defense when an intruder enters his or her business.
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