Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/15/2003 09:05 AM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 152-CONCEALED HANDGUNS
SENATOR RALPH SEEKINS, bill sponsor, paraphrased the sponsor
statement.
In 2002 SB 242 was introduced to simplify and clarify
the procedures for recognizing concealed handgun
permits for other states. As a result of a floor
amendment offered late in the session, recognition was
limited to those permits held by individuals who had
not had a permit denied or revoked.
Although the amendment appeared reasonable on the
surface, it had unintended consequence. Texas, the
second most populous state in the nation, refused
reciprocity with the State of Alaska. The refusal is
technically bureaucratic in nature, yet presents a
barrier to reciprocity. SB 152 attempts to resolve
this issue.
The first section of the bill recognizes permit
holders from other states as valid permit holders in
Alaska. The second section of the legislation requires
the Alaska Department of Public Safety to enter into
reciprocity agreements with other states when it is
necessary to benefit Alaska permit holders.
The House amended the companion bill and he was in agreement. In
section 2 (b) they inserted language "that have the legal
authority to enter into such agreements" between "states" and
"so".
CHAIR GARY STEVENS noted the bill would move to Judiciary next
and it could be amended at that time.
SENATOR JOHN COWDERY asked how many states provide for concealed
permits.
SENATOR SEEKINS replied most states did and the NRA
representative might have the exact number.
SENATOR COWDERY asked how many Alaskans held concealed handgun
permits.
SENATOR SEEKINS deferred the question to Brian Judy.
There were no further questions for Senator Seekins.
BRIAN JUDY, NRA representative, spoke in support of SB 152 and
the proposed amendment. The bill is a technical change and would
have no substantive impact on Alaska. The intent is to open the
recognition of Alaska permits by other states.
In response to Senator Cowdery's questions, he said there are
just over 17,600 Alaskan permit holders. Forty three states
issue permits to law-abiding citizens and of those, there are 25
that currently recognize permits issued to law-abiding citizens
from other states including Alaska.
SENATOR FRED DYSON asked him to comment on the fact that there
have been few cases in which someone with a conceal-carry permit
used their weapon improperly and on the number of cases in which
conceal-carry permit holders have stopped crimes in progress
and/or aided public safety officers.
MR. JUDY said they are finding that although the criterion for
issuance differs from state to state, permit holders virtually
never cause problems. Also, a number of studies have found that
in states with conceal-carry permits crimes did stop. In Alaska,
violent crime increased through the early 1990s. The Alaska
conceal-permit law passed in 1995 and violent crime dropped
dramatically in the years 1996-1998.
SENATOR DYSON noted in some states the police have given
instruction in firearm safety to domestic violence and rape
victims and have seen a significant drop in those crimes. He
asked if he remembered that research.
MR. JUDY did recall that happening in a Florida community. In
response to an increase in crime, the chief of police held a
well-publicized series of firearm safety courses specifically
for women and issued conceal-weapon permits on an emergency
basis. The incidence of rape nearly disappeared immediately.
There were no further questions.
SENATOR COWDERY made a motion to move SB 152 and attached fiscal
note from committee with unanimous consent. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
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