MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Feb 17, 2022) – Yesterday, an Alabama House committee passed a bill that would legalize permitless or “Constitutional Carry” in the state. The enactment of the bill would also foster an environment more hostile to federal gun control.
Rep. Shane Stringer (R) introduced House Bill 272 (HB272) on Feb. 3 with a large coalition of Republican cosponsors. Under the proposed law, any law-abiding adult legally eligible to obtain a carry permit could carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. Alabama residents would still be able to acquire a concealed carry permit in order to carry in states that maintain CCDW reciprocity with Alabama.
On Feb. 16, the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved HB272 with some amendments. One amendment would require occupants of a motor vehicle to inform an officer that they have a weapon. A second amendment clarified laws about carrying firearms on school property.
According to the Alabama Political Reporter, several Alabama law enforcement officials have “aligned against the bill,” citing officer safety.
Stringer served as a law enforcement officer. He said Mobile Sheriff Sam Cochran fired him last spring because he sponsored constitutional carry legislation.
“The Second Amendment gun rights of Alabamians are under attack from a liberal federal government that is out of control and even from some factions right here at home,” Stringer said. “After dedicating my life and career to law enforcement, losing a job because I stand in support of Alabama gun owners is certainly surprising, but nothing will discourage me from defending the constitutional guarantees promised to all of us as American citizens.”
According to Alabama Political Reporter, “Sheriffs rely on the pistol permit income in their budgets. The Alabama Sheriffs Association has opposed permitless/constitutional carry for years, claiming that it would make traffic stops less safe for officers.”
EFFECT ON FEDERAL GUN CONTROL
While permitless carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, the widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway.
The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions such as passing “constitutional carry” lower barriers for those wanting the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourage a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
WHAT’S NEXT
HB272 will move to the House floor for further consideration.
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