Both chambers of the Alabama Legislature have passed versions of a bill to remove the permit requirement for concealed carry of pistols.
However, the bill hit a snag Wednesday as the House voted 71-13 not to concur with the Senate version of the bill, which amended the House bill multiple times.
Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, the sponsor, told members the bill included some changes the members wouldn’t like “but could live with,” while other changes are not so acceptable.
“I think we vetted a lot of this here on the floor,” Stringer said.
Stringer took issue with a section the Senate added allowing officers to seize weapons if those officers have a “reasonable belief” that the person committed a crime.
“That is not a legal term that is used in law enforcement,” he said.
The bill removes the requirement for Alabamians to obtain a permit to carry a pistol, although permits will still be needed for gun-owners looking to carry concealed weapons in other states. Restrictions on the carry of guns in schools and certain private property also remain enforced.
The Senate amended the bill to create a fund for sheriffs to make up for the revenue lost by pistol permits, starting at $5 million. It also added language requiring drivers involved in a traffic stop to tell officers if they are carrying a gun and forbids them from touching any firearm when approached by police.
The bill now moves to a conference committee for the two houses to attempt to resolve their differences on the bill. If an agreement is reached, the new bill would need to be once again approved in both houses.
There are nine days remaining in the legislative session.
