Compromise reached on gun bill

A compromise has been reached on the much-debated omnibus gun bill.

House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Representative Ed Henry held a press conference earlier today with representatives from the National Rifle Association, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association and the Alabama District Attorney’s Association announcing the compromise version of Senate Bill 286. Soon after the agreed upon substitute was announced, the House Commerce and Small Business Committee approved the measure with a 6 – 2 vote.

Provisions of the compromise bill include:
· Individuals without a concealed carry permit would be allowed to carry a pistol in their car if it is unloaded, locked away, and out of reach of the driver or passenger.

· Changes Alabama from a ‘May Issue’ to a ‘Shall Issue’ state. Sheriffs will be required to provide documented reasoning for denying permits, and individuals may appeal the issuing decision.

· Requires employees to have either a valid concealed carry permit or a hunting license to carry a firearm onto a work site. Additionally, the employee cannot have been convicted of a violent crime, have been involuntarily committed, or have past incidents of domestic violence.

· Provides employers with immunity against lawsuits in the event an employee brings a weapon to work and an incident occurs.

· Expands the definition of “crimes of violence” to include all Class A felonies and Class B felonies that involve serious physical injury, distribution and manufacture of a controlled substance and crimes of a sexual nature involving children under 12. Individuals convicted of a “crime of violence” cannot own a firearm in Alabama.

“With President Obama dead set on limiting our right to bear arms, it was imperative for us to push legislation that would defend this important constitutional right for Alabamians,” Speaker Hubbard said.

Hubbard also praised Rep. Henry’s work in negotiating the compromise.

“First and foremost we are committed to ensuring that the citizens of Alabama have the right to defend themselves,” Henry said. “Achieving this compromise required a long journey with a lot of back and forth among law enforcement, business representatives and gun rights activists, but we finally found the right mix.”

The NRA also endorsed the bill at the press conference.

“The passage of SB 286 out of the Commerce and Small Business Committee is a step forward for the hard-working men and women of Alabama,” said NRA rep Trevor Santos. “This legislation includes much-needed reform of the current Right to Carry statute and protects the fundamental right of self-defense for those carrying a firearm to and from work.”

The Alabama Sheriffs’ Association and the Alabama District Attorneys’ Association, who were initially against SB 286, said their concerns were addressed in the new version of the bill, but the BCA still remains opposed.

The bill will now move to the House floor for a vote.