Governor Kay Ivey on Monday signed into law recently passed legislation allowing citizens to voluntarily surrender firearms to Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders for a determined period of time, touted as a means of aiding those suffering from suicidal ideation.
SB40, sponsored by State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston) and carried in the House by State Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster), is called the Houston Hunter Act, named after Army veteran Houston Tumlin and Marine veteran Hunter Whitley, who both committed suicide. Houston’s mother, Michelle, and Hunter’s mother, Shannon, were present when the bill was signed.
The bill would permit a private transaction between an FFL licensee and an individual firearm owner. In this transaction, the licensee agrees to take possession of the owner's firearm at the owner's request, hold the firearm for an agreed-upon period and return the firearm to the owner.
It would also free the federal licensee from any legal action after returning the firearm to the owner. In committee, Bedsole touted the bill as a way to provide help for those experiencing suicidal ideation without permanently removing their Second Amendment rights.
“Safety and security for veterans is one of my top priorities, just as they have protected and taken care of us,” Ivey said. “SB40 paves the way for Alabama to continue being the number one state for veteran care, quality of life and ensuring that veterans are equipped with the best mental health resources.”
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