Constitutional carry, or permitless carry legislation, could be brought to a vote on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives as early as Tuesday afternoon.
If passed by both chambers and signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, the legislation would allow law-abiding citizens to possess and carry firearms without first having to purchase a permit. State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) is the bill’s sponsor in the lower chamber.
The legislation has garnered support from Second Amendment advocacy organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Association for Gun Rights. A common argument made on behalf of the bill is that citizens should not be forced to pay for their constitutionally guaranteed right to carry a firearm.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, in a Tuesday statement, outlined what he saw as the need for Alabama to pass constitutional carry due to gun control measures advocated by the national left.
“With passage of the constitutional carry legislation, Alabama can join the 21 other states that have fully embraced the Second Amendment gun rights guaranteed to all Americans,” stated Ainsworth. “Activist federal judges, liberal interest groups, and far-left politicians like Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders, and AOC, are attacking our right to keep and carry firearm as never before, and enacting a constitutional carry law will help shield Alabama from their efforts.”
Some state law enforcement groups, including the Alabama Sheriffs Association, have publicly expressed their dissent to the legislation. Such opponents argue that the measure could lead to potentially dangerous outcomes. Moms Demand Action, a progressive gun control advocacy group, has joined the effort to disrupt the bill’s passage.
“Permits will still be available for purchase by Alabamians who wish to take advantage of reciprocal agreements with other states or want them for other reasons, but law-abiding citizens should not be forced to pay what amounts to a gun tax in order to exercise a constitutional right,” proclaimed Ainsworth. “The database of persons prohibited from owning firearms that was created by state law last year will allow law enforcement to run instant checks on individuals during roadside stops without first demanding to see a permit.”
The state’s second-highest ranking constitutional officer pointed to the bill’s widespread public support. Polling indicates that around 80% of citizens support the concept of constitutional carry.
“Surveys show beyond doubt that the vast majority of conservative Alabamians want constitutional carry legislation to be enacted into law, and I stand proudly among them. It is time for Alabama to become the nation’s 22nd state with a constitutional carry law on the books, so I urge all House members to vote for the legislation,” concluded Ainsworth.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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