HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE February 25, 2013 6:34 p.m. 6:34:08 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Alan Austerman, Co-Chair Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair Representative Mia Costello Representative Les Gara Representative Lindsey Holmes Representative Cathy Munoz Representative Steve Thompson Representative Tammie Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Bryce Edgmon Representative Scott Kawasaki, Alternate Representative David Guttenberg ALSO PRESENT John Sonin, Self, Juneau PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Mike Coons, Self, Palmer; Don Quarberg, Self, Delta Junction; Marton Wubbold, Self, Fairbanks; Mike Milligan, Self, Kodiak; Howard Houglum, Self, Anchor Point; Jeremy Hurd, Self, Ketchikan; Laurel Bennett, Self, Wasilla; Barbara Carter, Self, Wasilla; Amy Thomas, Self, MatSu; John Thomas, Self, MatSu SUMMARY HB 24 SELF DEFENSE HB 24 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HOUSE BILL NO. 24 "An Act relating to self-defense in any place where a person has a right to be." 6:34:23 PM Vice-Chair Neuman explained that HB 24 was not intended to change any laws. The intent of the legislation was to outline individuals' rights in statutes. He felt that the legislature should not be dissuaded by the fear of criminals taking advantage of laws that may be interpreted as an allowance of violence. He stressed that HB 24 would protect a citizen's right to a legitimate self-defense outside of their home. He felt that HB 24 would save citizens and the State the burden of legal fees related to self-defense cases. 6:38:06 PM MIKE COONS, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 24. He felt that the conservative legislators were supporting the views of the voters. He felt that HB 24 supported the constitution and the rights to own and defend one's self with whatever firearm one chooses to use in that defense. He reiterated that self-defense up to and including deadly force was a god and nature given right, anywhere and anytime. He felt that HB 24 mirrored the Concealed Carry Handgun and Firearms Law (CCW). He remarked that if legislators vote against the bill, they would not be reelected. 6:40:45 PM DON QUARBERG, SELF, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 24. He felt that the CCW had paved the way for important firearms legislation, and HB 24 would complement the CCW. He stated that the public should be able to protect themselves, and that HB 24 would provide additional level of concern and protection against perpetrators. 6:43:28 PM MARTON WUBBOLD, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 24. He agreed with the previous testimony, and felt that the legislation would allow Alaskans to defend themselves. He wondered if he had the right to be in a parking lot of a large store, because families would have a difficult time retreating safely in a dark lit parking lot. Vice-Chair Neuman replied that if the store had not prohibited the person from being in the parking lot, that person had a right to be there. Mr. Wubbold stated that some businesses post signs that state, "No Firearms." He wondered if a person had a right to defend themselves in the parking lot, if that sign was posted. Vice-Chair Neuman did not know what would happen in that circumstance. Co-Chair Stoltze encouraged Mr. Wubbold to contact Vice- Chair Neuman's office with his questions. Mr. Wubbold restated that he was in support of HB 24. 6:47:27 PM AT EASE 7:00:16 PM RECONVENED MIKE MILLIGAN, SELF, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified in opposition to HB 24. He felt that people did not need any more encouragement to use guns. He stated that the second amendment conferred the right for self-protection and gun ownership; but the second amendment specifically points to a well-regulated militia. He felt that background checks and permitting were necessary for gun ownership. He reiterated that it was not important for individuals to always carry a gun. He restated that training and permitting were more valuable than encouraging gun ownership. He remarked that there was an increase in gang shootings in Anchorage after individuals were allowed to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Co-Chair Stoltze remarked that the CCW was important legislation. He felt that the concealed weapons laws merely acknowledged an inherent right. 7:04:36 PM HOWARD HOUGLUM, SELF, ANCHOR POINT (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 24. He felt that every Alaskan had a right to self-defense, no matter where they may be located. He thanked the committee for considering the bill. 7:05:48 PM AT EASE 7:17:22 PM RECONVENED JEREMY HURD, SELF, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in opposition to HB 24. He felt that the bill would ask individuals, who had never carried a weapon previously, to suddenly start to carry weapons. 7:18:42 PM LAUREL BENNETT, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 24. She felt that the bill would not force an individual's right to carry a weapon, but rather allow an individual to defend him/herself. 7:20:42 PM BARBARA CARTER, SELF, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in favor HB 24. She thanked the committee for hearing her testimony. 7:21:20 PM AT EASE 7:32:16 PM RECONVENED Co-Chair Stoltze stated that the committee would wait for additional testifiers. He appreciated the patience of the committee and the public. 7:33:11 PM AT EASE 7:44:35 PM RECONVENED AMY THOMAS, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 24. She encouraged the committee to vote in favor of the bill. She felt that individuals had a right to defend themselves wherever they had a right to be. 7:46:11 PM JOHN THOMAS, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in support of HB 24. He felt that the bill was well written, and he was encouraged by the legislation. He commented that the bill respected the residents of Alaska. 7:48:12 PM AT EASE 7:52:10 PM RECONVENED JOHN SONIN, SELF, JUNEAU, felt that the bill went back to the days of the "Wild West." He expressed a desire for a civil society based on laws, and would like to see "sane" policy. He felt that carrying a gun and the use of a gun was impulsive. He stated that children should be raised with a sense of law and peace, without the need to defend in an impulsive situation. He expressed that it was important to not be defensive at all times. He stressed that carrying weapons was not necessary to the human race. He pointed out that he had not read the bill. 7:57:38 PM Co-Chair Stoltze wondered if Mr. Sonin was against the bill. Mr. Sonin replied that he had not read the bill. 7:58:32 PM AT EASE 8:01:49 PM RECONVENED HB 24 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. ADJOURNMENT 8:02:53 PM The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.