MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A newly proposed bill in Alabama is sparking debate over gun rights and public safety. Representative Kenyatte Hassell (D-Montgomery) has pre-filed House Bill 23, which would require permits for carrying “assault weapons” and certain semi-automatic firearms in public. Alabama is a Constitutional Carry state, so of course, political freedom haters want to do what they can to claw that constitutional right back from free Alabamians.
Currently, Alabamians 19 years or older can carry firearms openly or concealed without a permit. However, HB 23 aims to change that, specifically targeting firearms randomly “classified” as “assault weapons.” The bill defines these as semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting detachable magazines and possessing certain features like folding stocks or second handgrips.
Hassell argues that the bill is necessary to address the rising concerns about gun violence and public safety.
“People are walking around with large assault weapons in public, causing fear and unease,” Hassell said. “We need some form of regulation to deter gun violence and ensure these weapons don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
The proposed legislation has sparked the expected reactions. Mostly Democrat lawmakers and ‘only-ones’ law enforcement officials support the move, believing it will give police more authority to manage and reduce gun-related incidents. However, others argue that it directly infringes on Second Amendment rights and may not effectively address the root causes of gun violence.
Representative Allen Treadaway, a veteran law enforcement officer, believes the focus should be on increasing the number of police officers and utilizing the state’s crime-tracking database.
“We need more officers on the streets to respond to violence,” Treadaway stated. “The database helps us track who should and shouldn’t have guns, and that’s where our focus should be.”
Despite the opposition, Democrat Hassell is determined to push the bill forward, emphasizing its narrow focus and intent.
“I’m not trying to take weapons away from law-abiding citizens. It’s about ensuring that those who carry these powerful firearms are properly vetted,” he explained.
Oh Yeah… Also a Permit To Purchase
The bill also includes a provision for obtaining a permit to purchase a semi-automatic rifle, adding another layer of regulation to the process. Violating the proposed law would be considered a Class C felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to ten years.
Supporters of the bill, like Representative Phil Ensler (D-Montgomery), believe it addresses some of the most dangerous aspects of gun violence. Ensler, who previously tweeted his support for the U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration that “gun violence is a public health issue,” stated, “I fully support this bill and commend Rep. Hassell for his efforts to tackle gun violence.”
I fully support the U.S. Surgeon General’s declaration today that gun violence is a public health issue as it is the leading cause of death for adolescents.
With that said, we all have a role to play — from home to the community to the state legislature in keeping our children…
— Phillip Ensler (@EnslerPhillip) June 26, 2024
As the debate continues, the proposed legislation highlights the ongoing struggle between American Patriots and those seeking ever-increasing gun control measures. With gun violence rates increasing in Alabama, the discussion around HB 23 is expected to be intense and closely watched.
The Alabama Legislature will consider the bill in the 2025 session, beginning in February. Until then, both sides will be preparing their arguments for what promises to be a heated debate over the future of gun regulation in the state.
Perhaps we should limit the law to apply to just her people, who seem to be the most common violators of laws against violence.
Exactly what is an assault rifle! They 1st have to define it……….
Democrats can’t even define what a woman is.
I agree – definitions ARE important. Thank you for pointing that out! An “assault RIFLE” is basically a fully automatic / select fire RIFLE. The term is believed to have originated in WWII with Germany’s “sturmgewehr” literally meaning “storm rifle” but translated to “assault rifle”. The term most often used in the rights / gun control industry is “assault WEAPON.” The problem with this term is that it is vague. If a person “assaults” another person with a stick, is the stick not an “assault WEAPON”? By using this term instead of “assault RIFLE”, they get to change its meaning at… Read more »
Definition of an assault rifle is easy, it’s the select fire rifle (M-16 or even AK-47) you likely carried in the ‘Nam. It’s the randomly defined “assault weapon” that the leftists are constantly going after.
In an assault weapons ban, only small caliber revolvers and a few single shot “duck guns” survive.
Vv – they will not come up with any sort of concrete definition since that would restrict their ability to call anything they want an ‘assault weapon’.
the big laugh in the miller decision scotus said type of weapons protected by second is type of weapon useful in a war so machine guns and simi auto and long range rifles rocket launchers pistols single shot guns would be what is not protected
Same garbage going on here. Need a permit, need a training certificate, need a background check, need your money!!! And some how that is not an infringement? I don’t get it. Today it is semiauto rifles, then it becomes oh we messed up we need to add semi auto pistols that hold more than ten rounds and then it is oh it should be all semi auto and only wheel guns and then it becomes what our stupid shit stain governess Brown before our current illustrious leader Tina Kotex, who both want guns that hold no more than 5 rounds… Read more »
The once-democratic party has declared war on the Constitution of the United States. While they might call some of us election deniers they are Revolution deniers.
Play it again Sam…
Politicians with laws never stop bad guys with guns, evil,intent.
They only control the good guys, which is their true agenda.
Pass it on…..
They consider every gun as scary and all firearms are “assault weapons”
Where did the 19-year-old number come from? What makes a 19-year-old “safe”, but an 18-year-old “dangerous”? What evidence do they have to support that? Once they are allowed to classify certain types of firearms as “too scary” / “the other”, they can continue the march to ban all firearms. Even if this legislator would sign a legal document stating he promises to never push for “more”, what about the others in the legislature now and in the future? Where does it stop? DOES it ever stop? As always, details matter – what, exactly, is the definition of “assault weapons” and… Read more »
In Alabama, 19 is considered the age of legal majority. Not 18.
Hold on folks, the author of this bad bill says a few regulations will help with gun violence? They are now criminals when they violate the existing laws by using firearm(s) to commit criminal acts.
They will not follow the letter of any new or exiting laws.
I have one Every able body sane person MUST carry and practice, shooting and self defense
Remember, it’s our guns he wants banned.
If we hand in our guns to the government either piecemeal or all at once what will protect us from the government?
No.