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

Senate Votes to Revise Alaska’s Concealed Handgun Permit Law

Clarifies And Simplifies Government Regulation

For Immediate Release: May 2, 1997 Contact: Senator Lyda Green at 907/465-6600

Juneau -- Because Alaska’s concealed handgun program has proven overly restrictive, too confusing, and too expensive, the Alaska State Senate passed Senate Bill 141 by a vote of 13 to 6 to revise the current permit program.

"This new bill streamlines the process for obtaining a permit and creates greater latitude for law abiding citizens to exercise their right to carry concealed handguns," said bill sponsor Senator Lyda Green (R, Mat-Su).

Green noted that according to the Department of Public Safety, of the 6,300 concealed permittees in Alaska, not one person has used their concealed handgun to commit a crime. If passed, SB 141 will allow that anywhere you can carry a handgun openly (which you can do without training, background checks, fingerprinting, and a permit) you will be able to carry a permitted concealed handgun.

"If 300,000 adult Alaskans can legally carry a handgun openly, there is no reason to have greater restrictions for the 6,300 Alaskans who have been fingerprinted, checked, trained and permitted," Green said.

Senate Bill 141 will amend the current concealed handgun law by reducing the permitting process cost, aligning the state laws on restrictions to be consistent with federal law, and eliminating the one year state residency requirement for application.

Senator Green reached a compromise today so that all the concerns of the Department of Public Safety has been addressed in the bill.

Specifically, this bill reduces the fees from $125 to $99 for initial application and from $60 to $30 for renewal or replacement to better reflect the true cost. It will also allow permittees greater latitude in where they are allowed to carry their concealed handguns.

"Concealed handgun permit holders are law abiding citizens. They have met the application criteria, submitted to fingerprinting and background checks, received professional training on the use of firearms and the use of deadly force, and have displayed competency with their firearm," explained Senator Green. "They deserve a program that provides the opportunity to exercise their constitutional freedom to keep and bear arms."

###