SCSCSHB 351(STA): An Act relating to permits for the carrying of a concealed handgun; providing for local option elections in municipalities and established villages to prohibit the possession of a concealed handgun under a permit; and relating to the possession of weapons; and providing for an effective date. Sherrie Goll, lobbyist, Alaska Women's Lobby and KIDPAC, and Jane Andrene, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, testified in opposition to HB 351. John George, for the Outdoor Council, testified in support of HB 351. Senator Rieger voiced his opposition to a concealed weapon. CSHB 351(FIN am(efd add) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass," a zero fiscal note for the Department of Law, a fiscal note in the amount of $2.44 for the Office of the Governor, and a fiscal note for the Department of Public Safety in the amount of $1,351.8 showing a revenue of $1,842.7. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 351(STA): An Act relating to permits for the carrying of a concealed handgun; providing for local option elections in municipalities and established villages to prohibit the possession of a concealed handgun under a permit; and relating to the possession of weapons; and providing for an effective date. Co-chair Pearce announced that HB 351 was before the committee and invited testimony to the bill. SHERRIE GOLL, lobbyist, Alaska Women's Lobby and KIDPAC, testified in opposition to HB 351. She did not believe that this bill would make life safer for women. Instead, she felt more guns would mean more accidents and tragedies. Almost all people murdered were killed by someone they knew. Studies showed that 75 percent of justifiable homicides occur in the home where handguns for protection were already permitted. FBI statistics show that even police officers who receive hundreds of hours of training, still kill themselves with their own weapons. She believed that women would be better served by training in a martial art that could not be taken and used against her. She also asked that a provision be added to the bill that if a permitted gun was used in a domestic violence assault case, that permit would be revoked. She also pointed out the poor example parents, who carried guns, were giving to children. Ms. Goll urged, if HB 351 would pass, that strict safety measures be added to the legislation. She added, that if having more guns on the streets made us a safer nation, we should be the safest nation in the world. JANE ANDRENE, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, testified in opposition to HB 351. She said this bill was being presented as a way to deter crime but a significant portion of the crime in Alaska were crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault. In crimes of sexual assault, 85 percent of the offenders were known to the victims and happened where the victim would not have access to a concealed weapon or be able to access the weapon quickly enough. A significant and realistic fear of many victims of family violence was that the partner or spouse had access to and was skilled at using firearms. Many times the threat of using them was made repeatedly toward the victim. If alcohol or stress was added to these situations, the possibility of lethality escalated in family violence. She also pointed out that domestic violence and sexual assault workers would also be threatened. She said carrying weapons openly would reduce the potential for violent crimes. JOHN GEORGE, for the Outdoor Council, said the safest weapon on the street was carried by someone who was trained and this bill provided for training. He felt those that went through the training, submitted to fingerprinting, photographing, and paid a fee, were going to be safe gun carriers. He urged support for HB 351. In answer to Senator Rieger, he said that strapping on a six gun would give a wild west approach. He said this bill targeted a person who would like to walk softly and carry a big stick. Co-chair Frank MOVED for passage of SCSCSHB 351(STA) from committee with individual recommendations. No objection being heard, it was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass," a zero fiscal note for the Department of Law, a fiscal note for the Officer of the Governor for $2.44, and a fiscal note for the Department of Safety for $1,351.8 showing a revenue of $(1,842.7). Co-chairs Pearce and Frank, Senators Sharp and Kelly signed a "do pass." Senator Rieger signed "no recommendation."