Seeker of Truth
06-12-2003, 04:41 PM
No Permit Needed To Carry Concealed Guns
IN 90 DAYS: Governor signed bill, praising it as a Second Amendment victory.
By MIKE CHAMBERS
The Associated Press
(Published: June 12, 2003)
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.
More @ adn.com (http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/3280484p-3310005c.html)
IN 90 DAYS: Governor signed bill, praising it as a Second Amendment victory.
By MIKE CHAMBERS
The Associated Press
(Published: June 12, 2003)
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.
More @ adn.com (http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/3280484p-3310005c.html)