MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Tuesday, The Alabama Senate voted to allow citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
The bill passed through the Senate by a vote of 26-8.
Sponsored by Republican Senator Gerald Allen from Tuscaloosa, SB24 will repeal many restrictions on the carrying or possession of a firearm on certain property or in a motor vehicle by people with or without a concealed pistol permit. This bill would also revise certain restrictions on the carrying or possession of firearms at certain locations.
The bill is now being passed on to the House of Representatives.
If SB24 does indeed pass, Sylacauga Police Chief Kelley Johnson said it will be a problem for not only his department, but for all law enforcement. He also had very strong words about the bill, calling it “anti-law enforcement.”
“This bill will make things a little less safe out there for police,” Johnson said. “I am not against concealed carry but when no one needs a permit to conceal a weapon, we’re in trouble. The guns we can’t see on criminals are the issue. I am all for the second amendment but we all need our checks and balances.”
Johnson adamantly stated this bill will make his department’s job much harder. “It’s a lose-lose situation for us when it comes to getting the bad guys off the streets that have guns,” he said.
Johnson also laid out issues for the counties. He said the counties are able to purchase equipment needed for daily patrol from the revenue created from citizens purchasing concealed weapon permits. “If the counties don’t get this money then they will not be able to get the stuff they need to do their jobs,” Johnson said.
SylacaugaNews.com reached out to District 33 representative Ron Johnson for comment, but he could not be reached.
Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
