Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/21/2023 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB61 | |
| HB17 | |
| HB84 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 61-LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS
8:05:45 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to restrictions on
firearms and other weapons."
8:06:20 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:06 a.m. to 8:07 a.m.
8:07:01 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK opened public testimony on HB 61.
8:07:38 AM
DICK TRAINI, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
He stated he had witnessed firsthand the situation after
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and he reinforced the need for
the right of citizens to bear arms.
8:09:25 AM
MIKE COONS, President, Concerned Conservatives of Alaska, on
behalf of the Concerned Conservatives of Alaska, expressed
support for HB 61. He pointed out other businesses were deemed
essential and allowed to open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but
gun stores and churches were closed. He argued against these
closures.
8:12:49 AM
LUANN MCVEY, representing self, stated that she is a volunteer
with the Alaska Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense.
She expressed opposition to HB 61. She urged the committee to
put its time and energy into constructive legislation, such as
required secure storage of firearms or increasing funding for
schools. She observed that during disasters or emergencies
emotions tend to run high, and it may be necessary to restrict
gun usage to limit any chaos which may erupt.
8:15:07 AM
CAROLINE PORTER, representing self, testified in support of HB
61 on behalf of her family. She stated that during the COVID-19
pandemic singling out the closure of a specific type of
business, such as gun stores, caused financial hardship on the
owners. She argued that the bill is about equity, in that some
stores which did not seem essential were allowed to stay open.
She continued that the closures were unconstitutional and
unfair. She stated that the Second Amendment [to the United
States Constitution] to keep and bear arms must be ensured.
8:17:43 AM
ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61. He
expressed the belief that the bill would "cure a problem that
never should have happened." He suggested that the opposite
should happen in any emergency. He discussed martial law cases
across the history of the country and how Second Amendment
rights were not suspended during these times.
8:20:32 AM
ANNA YANCEY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
Because of the nature of humans, she stated individuals need to
be able to protect themselves during an emergency. She
commented on the imperfect nature of humans and pointed out that
during emergencies ideas may not be well thought out. She
expressed the opinion that individuals should be able to protect
themselves.
8:23:05 AM
TABITHA NARDINI, representing self, testified in support of HB
61. She said if a state emergency should happen, she would like
to be able to protect her family and home.
8:23:52 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
She shared that her family has generations of being in the
military. She pointed out that Planned Parenthood's office was
open while churches and gun stores were closed during the
pandemic. She argued that this benefited one group of people,
while another group of people suffered. She shared a story of
how she protected her family from an attempted intruder. She
advised that having a firearm had stopped the intrusion. She
stressed the importance of home protection.
8:26:25 AM
KEN GRIFFIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
He argued that "criminals do not buy guns from stores, they
steal or buy them on the street;" therefore, the bill would not
affect criminals. He stated that it would only affect law
abiding citizens. He pointed out that during any emergency,
shipping may be halted to Alaska, and citizens would need to
hunt for food; therefore, they would need access to gun stores.
8:28:17 AM
ROCHELLE PARKER, representing self, stated that she is a
volunteer with the Anchorage Chapter of Moms Demand Action for
Gun Sense in America. She stated that she strongly opposes HB
61. She argued that the government does not need to be
restricted in any emergency, as there are so many unknowns. She
expressed fear for her children during an emergency situation,
as citizens may be carrying unchecked firearms. She suggested
that passing the proposed legislation could expose the state to
costly lawsuits.
8:29:58 AM
MICHAEL LAFAY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
He stated that citizens should be able to protect themselves.
8:31:07 AM
JAN CAULFIELD, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She stated that her family owns guns for hunting, and she
opposes the bill in its current form. She expressed
understanding for the argument for equity in commerce. She
stated that if the bill only addressed this issue, she would not
oppose it. She argued that the bill would not allow any
restrictions on guns in a declared emergency, and this
limitation on state and local authorities is dangerous. She
also discussed the costly litigation that may ensue, and this
could also hamper the decision-making process.
8:33:51 AM
MARIAN CLAEGH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She stated that she is a gun owner and a grandmother, and
she is not antigun. She argued that the Second Amendment is
already protected in other legislation, and this bill would be
redundant and invite needless expense. She expressed concern on
page 2, line 13 of the bill, as it would allow a civil action to
bring a lawsuit against state or municipal agencies.
8:36:45 AM
ODETTE EDGAR, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She stated that her main objection to the bill is that it
would allow a gun rights organization the ability to bring civil
action and collect punitive damages against public officials.
She argued that society is currently overly litigious and "the
bill takes us further down that road."
8:38:33 AM
FRANK RUE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 61.
He stated that he is a gun owner and a former commissioner of
the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He stated that he
supports shooting sports, hunting, and the safe and responsible
use of firearms; however, he expressed concerns about HB 61. He
expressed no problem concerning the commerce and equity portion
of the bill; however, he expressed the opinion that the bill's
vagueness could possibly lead to individuals having firearms in
schools. He advised that the bill should be clear so
individuals in charge of dealing with a disaster are not put in
jeopardy.
8:41:24 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 61.
8:42:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HB 61 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS objected. She expressed appreciation for
the protection of Second Amendment rights; however, she
expressed the understanding that these rights are already
protected.
8:43:59 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:43 a.m. to 8:44 a.m.
8:44:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS maintained her objection.
8:44:51 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives McKay, Ruffridge,
McCabe, and McCormick voted in favor of the motion to report HB
61 out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representatives Mears and Himschoot
voted against it. Therefore, HB 61 was reported out of the
House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee by a
vote of 4-2.