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

Legislature Approves Compromise Revision of Alaska's Concealed Carry Permit Law

For Immediate Release: May 11, 1997 Contact: Senator Lyda Green 907/465-6600

Juneau -- Members of the Legislature passed Senate Bill 141 by a vote of 13-6 in the Senate and 31-8 in the House to revise the state’s previous concealed handgun law saying it was discriminatory, overly restrictive, too confusing, and too expensive. Changes to the bill made in the House were concurred by the Senate Sunday.

Mat-Su Senator Lyda Green (R), who sponsored SB 141, said "Experience in Alaska and across the United States proves that people who get permits to carry concealed do not commit crime. Experience justifies reform."

Senator Green issued the following statement:

"If 300,000 adult Alaskans can legally carry a handgun openly, there is no reason 6,300 Alaskans who have been finger-printed, background checked, trained and permitted should have greater restrictions on where they can carry.

"Green noted that the legislation is supported by the NRA, the Alaska Outdoor Council and (except for lowering fees) by the Alaska Peace Officers Association. Compromises to the bill during the hearing process addressed the concerns of the Department of Public Safety.

"Open and concealed carry will continue to be prohibited in courthouses, schools, school buses, bars, state-funded domestic violence and sexual assault shelters and anywhere else state or federal law prohibit firearms. Permittees will also be able to go to restaurants, but will not be allowed to consume alcohol.

"In addition, just as with open carry of firearms, concealed carry can be prohibited by posting a notice in any state or municipal office, and in homes, businesses or facilities.

"Addicts, chronic misdemeanants, convicted felons, anyone ever convicted of a crime of domestic violence, and anyone else prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law will not be able to get a concealed carry permit. For example, federal law prohibits possession of firearms of anyone committed to an institution for the mentally ill or who is adjudicated as mentally ill.

"For law-abiding Alaskans, the rule will be simple: if you can carry openly you can carry concealed with a permit.

"Peace officers also are allowed the privilege of getting a permit directly if they apply within one year of retirement. Local police will be able to carry concealed anywhere in Alaska and out-of-state peace officers will also be able to carry concealed in Alaska. Out-of-state permittees will be able to carry in Alaska if the permit process in their state is at least as strict as Alaska law.

"The Department of Public Safety, which has done a remarkable job of processing permit applications in a timely manner, will prepare as part of the permit process a concise summary of the who, when and where of firearms possession in Alaska."

"Permits fees will be reduced from $125 to $99 for initial application and from $60 to $30 for renewal.

Senator Green concluded her statement with the observation 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. It is time to trust law-abiding Alaskans and wherever possible, reduce the size and scope of government regulating our lives."

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