← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Faust
Thread ID: 7419 | Posts: 11 | Started: 2003-06-17
2003-06-17 02:31 | User Profile
**Alaska: No permit needed to carry concealed guns Associated Press
JUNEAU -- Alaskans will no longer need a permit to carry a concealed weapon under a bill signed into law Wednesday.
In signing the bill, Gov. Frank Murkowski lauded the work of the Legislature and the National Rifle Association in protecting the Second Amendment rights of Alaskans.
The bill would adopt the so-called "Vermont Carry" law that allows residents to carry a concealed weapon without a special permit. Vermont has no laws against carrying concealed weapons, the governor's office said.
In Alaska, someone who applies for a concealed handgun permit is required to take a handgun course certified by the state Department of Public Safety.
Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage, said he sponsored the bill out of frustration with continually fine-tuning the state's gun laws.
"I object to the government putting a precondition on that constitutional right (to carry a weapon). I'm presumed to be a responsible citizen until proven otherwise," Croft said.
House Bill 102 does not eliminate the state's concealed handgun permit program. The governor's office said Alaskans could still apply for a permit in order to carry a concealed weapon in other states or to be exempt from background checks when purchasing firearms.
But the bill, which takes effect in 90 days, would allow Alaskans who can legally carry a firearm to carry it concealed without such a permit.
It does not change prohibitions against carrying firearms into courthouses, school yards, bars and domestic violence shelters.
About 17,000 concealed handgun permits have been issued in Alaska, said Greg Wilkinson, a spokesman for the Alaska State Troopers.
The measure will aid gun owners particularly in rural areas where handgun safety courses may not be readily available, Croft said.
While the measure won broad support among lawmakers -- more than half in the 60-member Legislature signed on as co-sponsors -- it did have its detractors.
Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, was among 10 lawmakers voting against the bill. Bunde said current Alaska law requires someone to understand their legal obligations and demonstrate proficiency before receiving a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
He said people often misuse handguns because of a lack of firearm education and training.
"I am a strong gun advocate and very concerned that every time someone misuses a gun, particularly a handgun, we lose in the court of public opinion," Bunde said.
Also signed into law was a bill to require the state Department of Public Safety to recognize all concealed carry permits issued in other states.
The gun bills were among nearly a dozen new laws signed by Murkowski during a ceremony in Wasilla. Some of the highlights:
ââ¬Â¢ Senate Bill 41 would create a new law crafted specifically to target Medicaid fraud. Overpayments and fraud are estimated to cost the state between $70 million and $170 million each year.
ââ¬Â¢ House Bill 267 expands the bonding power of the Alaska Railroad Corp. to allow it to issue up to $17 billion in tax-exempt bonds for a natural gas pipeline.
ââ¬Â¢ Senate Bill 26 allows state employees called to active military service to continue receiving pay and benefits. It is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001.
ââ¬Â¢ Senate Bill 177 also allows retired state employees to continue to receive a 10 percent Alaska cost of living allowance if called to active duty.
ââ¬Â¢ And Senate Bill 148 allows eligible Alaskans on active duty to be gone from the state longer and still receive a Permanent Fund dividend check. It lengthens the time they and their spouses are allowed to be gone from the state to 180 days, in addition to their time on active duty. The current restriction is 45 days.
[url=http://www.sierratimes.com/03/06/12/ap_ak_guns.htm]http://www.sierratimes.com/03/06/12/ap_ak_guns.htm[/url] **
2003-06-17 04:25 | User Profile
Sounds like a good deal, I am all for it esp. since I reside in California. Man o' man if we could get "laws" like that here.
2003-06-17 17:54 | User Profile
If only we could get laws like that in Canada.
Although I've never really allowed laws to hamper any of my behaviour. I consider laws "suggested" when I disagree with them, like stop signs on deserted country roads late at night. ;)
2003-06-18 07:31 | User Profile
Alaska is one of the few states that seems to have a sane government. They also have no state income tax! It's too bad there are no jobs or women there. :(
2003-06-18 13:30 | User Profile
*Originally posted by Alka@Jun 17 2003, 17:54 * ** I consider laws "suggested" when I disagree with them, like stop signs on deserted country roads late at night. **
Umm . . . do you ever drive in Wisconsin?
Walter
2003-06-18 16:29 | User Profile
I drive wherever I want to. Even when there aren't any roads. And rumor verging upon myth would tell you that I was spotted once in Wisconsin.
I tried not to cause too much destruction during my visit, but you know how it is, rental car, you can't help but doing a little off-roadin' in a neon... just to see what happens, right.
How could I have known there would have been that large of a fireball?
I think I've said too much. Shhh. ;) :D
2003-06-19 15:21 | User Profile
How awful! Expect the Alaskan homicide rate to skyrocket! They should emulate the sane gun laws in Detroit and DC, and then they'd enjoy the same low crime rates. :rolleyes:
But seriously, I'm glad at least one of these United States has an admirable gun policy.
2003-06-20 00:47 | User Profile
It was nice to post some good news for once.
2003-06-21 01:55 | User Profile
Originally posted by Drakmal@Jun 18 2003, 01:31 * Alaska is one of the few states that seems to have a sane government. They also have no state income tax! It's too bad there are no jobs or women there. :(*
I hate to say this but I think the reason Alaska has sane laws might be because there are no women there. :(
2003-06-21 03:52 | User Profile
Originally posted by Bardamu+Jun 20 2003, 19:55 -->
QUOTE (Bardamu @ Jun 20 2003, 19:55 ) <!--QuoteBegin-Drakmal@Jun 18 2003, 01:31 * Alaska is one of the few states that seems to have a sane government.ÃÂ They also have no state income tax!ÃÂ It's too bad there are no jobs or women there. :(* I hate to say this but I think the reason Alaska has sane laws might be because there are no women there. :( **
You must read VNN.
In all reality, that might be the reason. As well as the more people around there are, the less freedom one has. In this case, less people, more freedom.
Drakmal
2003-06-21 12:47 | User Profile
Heh, that may be. In addition, the only voting minorities in Alaska are relatively small populations of injuns and eskimos; there are no negro or mexican voting blocs to rile up for the communist cause.