In a fitting and symbolic end to Sen. Scott Beason’s, R-Gardendale, 16-year career in the Alabama legislature, the Alabama Senate passed his bill allowing loaded pistols to be carried in cars without a concealed carry permit.

Beason thanked the Senate after the bill’s passage and announced it would be the last bill he passes as a state senator. He is vacating his seat this year to run for the US House of Representatives in Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District.

Under current law, an unlicensed handgun must be kept unloaded and out of reach while be transported in a vehicle.

Advocates of the bill say that it eases restrictions on open-carriers. Beason added that he believes citizens should not have to pay to gain access to their Second Amendment rights. The Alabama Sheriffs Association opposed the bill, saying it could make law enforcement officers’ jobs more difficult and noted that sheriffs would lose some of the revenue they receive through pistol permits.

Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, added an amendment to the bill stipulating that no existing revenue streams could be interrupted if the bill is signed into law. It is unclear at this point exactly what impact that could have on the bill as it now goes down to the House.

Beason’s gun legislation has been one of the most hotly-debated issues during this year’s session, at times grinding the senate to a halt for hours. Over the past several years, Beason has taken up some of the legislature’s most contentious issues, including Alabama’s toughest-in-the-nation immigration law and numerous gun bills. He most recently led the effort to repeal Common Core in Alabama, but ultimately fell just short.

“Some people are probably happy about (this being my last bill),” Beason said from the Senate mic as Democrats cheered.

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