(screen capture via WFSA)Alabama’s Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 272 into law on Thursday allowing permitless concealed carry of a handgun.
What could possibly go wrong?
People in Alabama will not be required to obtain a permit or undergo a background check to carry a concealed weapon beginning next year https://t.co/IDl5lc7Vzw
— CNN (@CNN) March 11, 2022
The new law was championed by gun rights advocates who say people shouldn’t have to pay for a permit for something that’s already a constitutional right.
“Unlike states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights,” Ivey said in a statement. “I have always stood up for the rights of law abiding gun owners, and I am proud to do that again today.”
But state sheriffs and others in law enforcement opposed the law saying permits help fight crime and enhance public safety.
Last year, six states – Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Texas and Utah – enacted permitless carry measures, according to the Pew Research Center.
Opponents of permitless concealed carry laws point to research from the National Bureau of Economic Research, which found that states that have passed permitless carry legislation have seen increases in gun violence.
Alabama became the latest state to remove permit requirements to carry a concealed gun in public, as multiple states debate similar measures this session. https://t.co/bESCKyjeao
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 11, 2022
Over 6k people with dangerous histories who were denied permits last year, can now carry concealed loaded weapons in public. The legislature sided against law enforcement and public safety @MomsDemand#alpolitics #EndGunViolencehttps://t.co/2POO5QjVlI
— Franky B (@FrankyBrown19) March 11, 2022
Alabama will become latest state to allow people to carry concealed handguns without first undergoing background check and getting state permit.https://t.co/Ii86Xmj9vY
— David Crary (@CraryAP) March 11, 2022