News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: February 26, 1997 Contact: Senator Rick Halford 907/465-4958

Senate Supports Establishing National Standards For Handgun Permittees

Juneau -- The Alaska State Senate Tuesday passed a resolution supporting federal legislation that would allow concealed handgun permittees of one state to carry concealed handguns in each of the other states.

Senate Joint Resolution 14, sponsored by Senator Rick Halford, passed by a vote of 15 to 5. The intent of H.R.339, a United States House of Representative measure, is to eliminate the labyrinth of confusing laws and regulations faced by law abiding citizens who have obtained a concealed carry permit in their home state noted Halford.

"Many permittees assume that the 2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights would apply in all 50 states -- this is far from the truth," said Halford. "The need and desire for personal protection and defense does not end at the borders of the state where a person lives -- so why should our constitutional rights?"

In 1994, the Alaska Legislature joined the growing number of states which allow residents to carry concealed handguns for their personal protection and defense. 1994 also marked the year Alaska’s citizens overwhelmingly approved an amendment to our State Constitution affirming our individual right to keep and bear arms.

"The proposed federal legislation is an important step in defending our right to self defense," Halford said.

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