Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/02/2000 01:39 PM Senate JUD
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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
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
March 2, 2000
1:39 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman
Senator Rick Halford, Vice-Chairman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Dave Donley
Senator John Torgerson
Senator Johnny Ellis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Department of Public Safety Overview on Concealed Handgun Permits
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to report.
WITNESS REGISTER
Mr. Del Smith, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
PO Box 111200
Juneau, Alaska 99811-1200
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Concealed Handgun Permits &
Reciprocity.
Lieutenant David Ray Hudson
Division of Operations
Alaska State Troopers
5700 East Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Concealed Handgun Permits &
Reciprocity.
Mr. Brian Judy
National Rifle Association
Alaska State Liaison
555 Capitol Mall, Suite 455
Sacramento, California 95814
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Concealed Handgun Permits &
Reciprocity.
Mr. Joe Nava, Instructor
National Fifle Association
469 NRA Lane
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on Concealed Handgun Permits &
Reciprocity.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 00-10, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR called the Judiciary Committee meeting to
order at 1:39 p.m. and announced the Committee is holding a special
hearing to do an overview with the Department of Public Safety on
the concealed weapon permit review of recipiocity. Senator Halford
and Chairman Taylor were present for the work session.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DEL SMITH, Department of Public Safety (DPS),
introduced Lieutenant David Hudson of the Alaska State Troopers.
MR. SMITH stated that the first overview issue indicates that when
people are stopped for traffic violations and they are not carrying
a concealed handgun, they are being hassled for not disclosing to
the officer that they are a concealed handgu permit holder. He is
not aware of this happening and is hoping it is not happening. If
a person is not carrying a weapon they do not have to reveal that
they have a weapon. The law is clear on when a person has to
reveal they have a license.
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR asked if permit information comes up on a screen in
the trooper cars so the officer will be alerted when they have
stopped someone for a violation.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH replied that there are not any screens in
the trooper cars but dispatch can tell the trooper if the person he
has stopped is a concealed weapons carrier.
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR asked if the first question the officer is likely
to ask is "are you carrying or not."
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH answered that if the officer asked that
question first he would not be in a position to charge the person
with failure to reveal this information.
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR asked if there have been any problems since the law
was enacted.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH revealed there has only been one incident
since the program was enacted. There have been people who have
been revoked for various reasons, but it did not involve the use of
a concealed weapon.
Number 76
SENATOR HALFORD asked if a peace officer who has a DV conviction
can carry a weapon.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH answered that the right to carry a weapon
would be suspended under federal law.
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR stated he would like to know how many Alaska peace
officers have been told they cannot carry their weapons because of
a DV order that is now required by federal law.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH spoke to the second overview issue of
fingerprints. DPS has come to the conclusion that there is no way
they can get around collecting a thumb print because the statute
required it but in the future DPS would entertain some change in
this. Thunbprints are being collected now as quick as possible so
the renewal process is not slowed down but this is proving
problematic.
Concealed carry permit holders are required by statute to renew
their permit every five years. Legislators have been receiving
numerous complaints that the renewal process is taking much longer
than the time frame provided in statute--this is correct, DPS is
behind. The department is working overtime trying to keep up
because they do not want people to have an expired permit.
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR asked if a notice could not just be sent out
notifying people their permit comes due at a certain time and they
can apply beginning on such and such a date.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH responded that if he could find a cheap
way to do this he would. It may have to be considered in the
future to avoid the overtime costs.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SMITH noted that in 1998, DPS and the state of
Alaska recognized seventeen state permits from the lower 48.
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