Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/22/2010 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB239 | |
| SB277 | |
| HB319 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 239 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 153 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 277 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 319 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 319-FIREARMS
2:35:33 PM
CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of HB 319. [CSHB
319(FIN) was before the committee.]
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HAWKER, sponsor of HB 319, characterized the
bill as another opportunity to reaffirm the Second Amendment
rights of Alaska's citizens. It also cleans up some sections of
statute pertaining to concealed handgun permits. Specifically, it
clarifies that when a concealed handgun permit expires or a
permit holder leaves the state, the holder doesn't need to
surrender the permit; it provides that an expired concealed
handgun permit may be displayed as long as the permit holder
doesn't represent it as being valid; it requires that the
Department of Public Safety (DPS) send permit holders a letter,
at least 90 days before their permit expires, notifying them that
their permit is about to expire; it allows DPS to post the
various regulations and statutes electronically rather than
mandating paper transactions; and it requires the chief law
enforcement officer in a jurisdiction to execute, within 30 days,
the federal firearms forms required for the transfer of certain
types of firearms including short barreled rifle shotguns, sound
suppression devices, and automatic firearms.
2:46:52 PM
The form, in part, requires the chief law enforcement officer to
certify that he/she has no information that the transferee of the
firearm will use the firearm or device for other than lawful
purposes, and no information that the receipt or possession of
the firearm or device would place the transferee in violation of
state or local law.
CHAIR FRENCH asked if the Department of Public Safety had taken a
position on the bill.
2:49:56 PM
SUE STANCLIFF, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department
of Public Safety (DPS), reported that DPS is neutral on HB 319,
but is happy to work with the sponsor and provide Second
Amendment rights to individual Alaskans. Last session the
Legislature passed legislation authorizing renewal notices on an
individual's birthday and that hasn't had much time to go into
effect. The bill requires the department to send a letter
notifying a permit holder that their permit is about to expire
and DPS would be happy to do so for the nearly 8,000 concealed
carry permit holders.
MS. STANCLIFF said the only real concern DPS has with the bill
relates to maintaining reciprocity with other states. Kansas and
Colorado are just two of a number of reciprocity states that
will only recognize an Alaska concealed hand gun permit if the
permit holder remains a resident of the state of Alaska. That
provision may need further clarification. She reiterated that
DPS is neutral on the bill, but does support Second Amendment
rights and doing whatever is necessary to accommodate the
process that makes it easier for individuals to exercise this
right.
2:53:05 PM
CHAIR FRENCH encourage her to submit suggested language to
address her concerns through Representative Hawker's office.
MS. STANCLIFF agreed to do so within the next 24 hours.
REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER said he's had extensive conversations with
the western region representative for the National Rifle
Association (NRA), Mr. Brian Judy, about the reciprocity matter
and Mr. Judy has opined that it isn't an issue. In fact, some
states don't require a person to be a state resident in order to
receive the initial permit. Florida and Utah, for example, don't
require state residency in order to obtain a concealed carry
permit and Colorado recognizes reciprocity from both these
states. Certainly there will always be reciprocity issues in
some jurisdictions, but the concerns articulated by DPS don't
rise to the level to impede the progress of this bill, he
concluded.
CHAIR FRENCH clarified that the bill has a further referral to
the finance committee and announced he would hold HB 319 in
committee.
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