A new poll shows that the majority of Alabamians support the state’s current system on guns, which requires people to undergo a background check to obtain a permit to carry a concealed, loaded handgun in public.
Results showed that 71 percent of Alabama voters oppose removing the requirement for a permit, and 87 percent of Alabama voters support requiring a background check to attain a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public.
The Survey USA poll was released by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America in response to Senate Bill 4, which would allow people to carry a hidden, loaded gun without a permit or background check.
The Senate Tourism Committee will likely vote on the bill on Monday.
“As a responsible gun owner, I know that when we remove the permitting system that keeps our communities safe, no one wins,” said Judy Taylor, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.
The poll also found that 62 percent of Alabamians would be less likely to support Gov. Kay Ivey in the next election if she signed legislation removing Alabama’s permit requirement.
All issues showed support from both Republicans and Democrats. Eighty-seven percent of Republicans surveyed said they support requiring a background check to obtain a permit to conceal carry a gun. Eighty-three percent of gun owners also agreed.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Alabama currently has the second highest rate of firearms deaths in the country.
With other states like Missouri passing similar bills only to see gun violence increase, a similar fate could be in store for Alabama if the bill passes.
In addition to releasing this poll, Mom Demand Action for Gun Sense in America had almost 100 volunteers and several law enforcement officials from across the state travel to the Capitol to voice their opposition to the bill last week.
Sheriffs from Montgomery, Lee and Marion Counties traveled with them to note that the passage of the bill would make it harder for law enforcement to protect Alabamians from gun violence.
“We proudly stand with dozens of sheriffs from across the state who oppose this bill, and we urge lawmakers to listen to the people we have entrusted to keep our communities safe,” Taylor said.
SurveyUSA interviewed 1,200 Alabamians between April 2 and April 5. Of those polled, 984 are registered to vote. Of the registered voters, 826 reported having voted in the November 2016 general election.
