One of the integral points of the so-called constitutional carry debate for some lawmakers was the creation of a firearms prohibited person database, which in theory would create a record of who was not allowed to carry a gun in Alabama.
Giving law enforcement knowledge of who was not allowed under law to carry a firearm eliminates the need for pistol permits, according to some who support permitless carry in the spirit of the Second Amendment.
However, some at the local level have doubts about the state of Alabama’s ability to construct such a database.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” State Rep. Proncey Robertson (R-Mt. Hope), one of the architects and initial supporters of the database, said the database would be up and running by October 1 of next year. He argued this database would not be like the failed scrap metal database instituted to deter copper theft.
“[A] database like that is only as good as the information that is being put into it, right?” he said. “You’re relying upon scrap metal private businesses who are making money off of that stolen metal to identify those fees that are coming in. And so, of course, there is not as good of information there. What we’re going to be relying on with this is sheriffs, DAs, judges, clerks, the courts to do their job of putting the information in there at the point of conviction. So when he says I don’t have any confidence, who does he not have confidence? His own department to report who should be prohibited?”
According to the Lawrence County lawmaker, the database and the data-entry platform will be created by a private vendor, which a line item would pay for in the 2022 general fund budget.
“[A]fter that, the bill provides a system in the sense of bad guys paying for it at the point of conviction and continuing pistol permit sales to fund that important database so there won’t be any funds taken from taxpayers from the general fund or anything like that once we have the initial set-up,” Robertson added. “We’re anticipating that database will be up and running by mid-summer, and it’s required in law that ALEA certify that they have it up and running by October 1, 2022. And I assure you that I’m keeping up with that on a weekly basis.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.