Moms Demand Action Responds to Committee Passage of Permitless Carry

The Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance SB1, permitless carry legislation that would allow anyone to carry concealed, loaded handguns in public without a permit or background check. 

“Lawmakers who support eliminating the permitting system that keeps us safe don’t stand for Alabama voters,” said Dana Ellis, volunteer leader with the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action. “What this comes down to is responsible gun ownership. If you want to carry a concealed gun in public, you should go through a background check.” 

Last year, volunteers with Moms Demand Action worked with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and local sheriffs to defeat permitless carry. More than 70 percent of recent Alabama voters oppose removing the permit requirement, but some lawmakers are pushing to eliminate the permitting system again this session. 

Alabama’s permitting system is incredibly effective — without requiring too much time or money, it ensures those carrying concealed handguns in public have gone through a background check. Permitless carry, on the other hand, makes it easy for domestic abusers and other people with dangerous histories to carry loaded handguns in public.