Earlier this week, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch called on the Alabama Legislature to rethink its so-called constitutional carry law passed in 2022 by raising the age of those to whom the law would apply.
Burch is one of several high-profile public officials, including Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, who see permitless carry as an impediment to public safety.
However, State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle), the 2022 sponsor of the constitutional carry law, dismissed Burch's overtures.
Stringer argued that the law already had built-in provisions for law enforcement and called the proposal "completely unnecessary."
"Alabama’s constitutional carry statute applies only to those who are at least 19 years old and have never been convicted of a violent felony," Stringer said in comments given to 1819 News. "The law clearly states that if an officer has 'reasonable suspicion' that a person has committed or is planning to commit a crime, their firearm may be taken. Under the law, citizens must also inform officers if they have a firearm in their car or on their person, a requirement that was not previously in place."
"If 19 is considered old enough to serve in the military, work as a police officer, or cast a vote to elect sheriffs and other officials, it is old enough to exercise the Second Amendment rights guaranteed by our U.S. Constitution," he added. "Turning 21 years old does not suddenly bless individuals overnight with wisdom, discretion and responsibility that they lacked before. It is simply an arbitrary number being picked at random. For all of these reasons and countless others, the proposed legislation is completely unnecessary."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on X @jeff_poor.
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