Legislature(1993 - 1994)
03/31/1994 01:40 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
CHRISTIAN BERRIGAN, ANCHORAGE testified via the
teleconference network in support of HB 351. He urged the
Committee to take prompt action.
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DOUG MILLARD, MATSU testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He asserted that the legislation
would not increase the number of illegally held hand guns.
He noted that Washington state has initiated a similar law.
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
SUZANNE PERRY, DIVISION OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES expressed concerns
in regards to HB 351. She noted that the Department is
concerned with the provision requiring a medical or
professional individual to attest that the person requesting
the permit is not or has not been under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs. She noted that the patient's
confidentiality under treatment is federally regulated. She
favored the CSHB 351 (STA) version.
BERNARD GOODNO, DELTA JUNCTION testified via the
teleconference network in support of HB 351. He asserted
that the Constitution does not make the distinction between
a concealed or non-concealed weapon.
LEIGH DENNISON, DELTA JUNCTION testified via the
teleconference network in support of HB 351. He questioned
the provision for permitting concealed weapons.
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DERRING JONES, MATSU testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351.
BILL JONES, BARROW testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He asserted that citizens need to
protect themselves.
DAVID WILLIAMS, FAIRBANKS testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He maintained that the
Constitution protects the right to bare arms.
DON CHASE, VALDEZ testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351.
CLEMENT BOUCHER, GLENNALLEN testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He objected to language
allowing a municipality or established village to prohibit
the possession of a concealed handgun.
ROGER ROTHSCHILD, BETHEL testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He maintained that the
legislation would allow honest law abiding citizens to
protect themselves.
LAUREE HUGONIN, TUNDRA WOMEN'S COALITION, BETHEL testified
via the teleconference network in opposition to HB 351. She
suggested that homicide against women is most likely to be
at the hands of a spouse or acquaintance. She stressed that
men of influence and high public standing are involved in
domestic violence. She maintained that the legislation will
result in more violent actions.
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
COURT OWEN, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351.
ROB WISEMAN, KENAI testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He maintained that the failure to
adopt HB 351 will send citizens the message that the
legislature does not believe they should have the right to
carry a concealed hand gun.
WESLEY CASTEGNO testified via the teleconference network in
support of HB 351. He asserted that reclining oil revenues
will result in a decrease in law enforcement. He observed
that there has been an increase in gang activity.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-103, Side 2)
LARRY PETTY, FAIRBANKS testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He noted that he is
representing 35 persons who favor HB 351. He urged prompt
action.
HARRIS STUERMER, BARROW testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He asserted that the
legislation recognizes a citizen's right and responsibility
to provide for his or her personal safety. He maintained
that the legislation establishes a reasonable test to
character and competence with a hand gun.
DON BAIN, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He observed that the legislation is
fee funded.
ELDON GLEIN, CORDOVA testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351.
KEN HENDRICKS, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351.
ROY WHITE, MATSU testified via the teleconference network in
support of HB 351. He objected to language allowing a
municipality or established village to prohibit the
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possession of a concealed handgun.
BRUCE MACLAUGLIN, TOK testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He objected to requirements
for permits of concealed weapons.
MORRIS THOMPSON, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in opposition to HB 351. He stressed that Village
Public Safety Officers and Child Protection Officers are
unarmed and may be involved in emotionally charged
situations where weapons are involved. He suggested that
villages should be allowed to opt in to the legislation, not
have to opt out.
ARTHUR COUCH, KENAI testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He maintained that since police
cannot be at the scene of a crime citizens should be able to
carry a concealed weapon for protection.
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
CAROL MCCONNELL, SEWARD testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. She maintained that she is
not able to protect herself any other way than to carry a
concealed gun.
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KRISTI WASSERMAN, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. She noted that she could be a
victim at any time. She emphasized that she has a
constitutional right to protect herself.
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
DENNIS PACKER, DIRECTOR, NORTHSLOPE BOROUGH DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, BARROW testified via the teleconference
network in opposition to HB 351. He maintained that present
law adequately address the possession or carrying of weapons
for hunting and protection in the home. He stressed that
the legislation will place a burden on law enforcement to
track records. He suggested the legislation will cause an
additional hazard to law enforcement officers. He
emphasized that the legislation does not guarantee the safe
or sensible use by citizens carrying concealed weapons. He
noted that the general public will not be trained in the use
of deadly force. He asserted that HB 351 will not reduce or
prevent crime. He urged that funding for the Department of
Law and the Department of Public Safety be increased to meet
law enforcement needs.
RAY HOLMES, VALDEZ testified via the teleconference network
in support of HB 351. He stressed that citizens should have
the right to protect themselves and their families.
KEITH WASSERMAN, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network to HB 351. He noted that gun legislation does not
stop crime. He opposed language allowing a municipality or
established village to prohibit the possession of a
concealed hand gun.
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NEIL CAMERON, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He noted that the legislation
has broad support.
HOUSE BILL NO. 351
"An Act relating to the issuance of permits for the
carrying of a concealed weapon."
RAY BROWN, ATTORNEY, ANCHORAGE testified via the
teleconference network against HB 351. He asserted that
victims suffer when a gun is involved. He observed that law
enforcement officers have strict guidelines for the use of
deadly force. He implied that innocent bystanders will be
at risk if the legislation is passed. He noted that
liability insurance will not be a condition of the permit.
He stressed that law enforcement officers will not know who
is armed. He pointed out that good intentioned persons may
become intoxicated while possessing firearms. He noted that
there is no mechanism to determine if someone is passively
or actively psychotic unless they have been adjudicated
under title 47. He alleged that the bill is underfunded.
(Tape Change, HFC 94-104, Side 1)
C.W. FLOYD, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
network in support of HB 351. He alleged that criminals are
not waiting for the legislation. He maintained that the
criminal element is armed.
RONALD FULLERTON, ANCHORAGE testified via the teleconference
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network in support of HB 351. He noted that his wife drives
at night in bad neighborhoods. He wished her to have the
right to be armed.
HB 351 was HELD in Committee for further discussion.
CSHB 292 (JUD) was assigned to a subcommittee consisting of
Representative Parnell as Chair and Representatives Hanley,
MacLean, Navarre and Grussendorf.
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