The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee is set to consider permitless carry, referred to as Constitutional carry by its supporters, on Wednesday.

House Bill 272 is sponsored by State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Satsuma). HB272 would allow all adult Alabamians who still have their gun rights to carry handguns in their vehicles or concealed on their person without having to purchase a concealed carry permit from their local sheriff.

SEE ALSO: House passes permitless carry bill for first time in history

“The Senate is taking swift action on constitutional carry as they previously promised,” the NRA wrote in a statement to supporters. “On Wednesday, at 1:00PM, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear House Bill 272. After that, it will receive a final vote on the Senate floor on Thursday. Please contact your state senator and ask them to SUPPORT House Bill 272.

“Constitutional carry strengthens Alabamians’ right to self-defense by allowing any law-abiding adult who is at least 21-years-old and legally eligible to obtain a carry permit, to carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. This ensures that citizens have their right to self-defense without red tape, delays, or fees. It does not change who is eligible to obtain a carry permit. It also does not affect previously issued permits, and allows citizens who still wish to obtain a permit in order to carry in other states recognizing Alabama’s permits, to do so.”

While supporting Constitutional carry, not every Second Amendment rights supporter who has read the bill is confident that HB272, as it was substituted and amended in the House, should not be amended.

Attorneys Joel Brown and Harry Still III both told 1819 News that existing rights that Alabama gun owners possess were negotiated away in HB272 to get the powerful Business Council of Alabama (BCA) to withdraw their opposition against the bill. They argue that the House created a new gun crime that Alabamians who carry their weapons, openly or concealed can run afoul of and they also negotiated away Alabamians right to carry their long guns loaded with them in their vehicles as part of this compromise legislation.

They want the Senate to amend HB272 to address these concerns

While some Alabama Sheriffs have come out in favor of permitless carry, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association continues to oppose the legislation. The bill is also opposed by the County Commissions Association of Alabama and Moms Demand Action Alabama.

Susan Kirkpatrick is a volunteer with the Alabama Chapter of Moms Demand Action Alabama.

“Today’s decision flies in the face of the law enforcement officers who have committed their lives to protecting us,” Kirkpatrick wrote last week when the House passed HB272. “The Alabama House has ignored research, reason, and expertise — choosing violence over public safety and jeopardizing the wellbeing of our communities. This vote has moved us another step in the opposite direction of where we should be headed.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee has already given a favorable report to a permitless carry bill without all of the BCA compromise language. If the Senate Judiciary Committee votes in favor of HB272 it could be on the floor of the Senate as early as Thursday.

Wednesday will be day 17 of the 2022 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.