Volunteers With the Alabama Chapter of Moms Demand Action Supported Policymakers and Law Enforcement Officials in Their Efforts to Stop Reckless Gun Bills
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Volunteers with the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today marked the end of the legislative session by applauding the defeat of two dangerous gun bills:
- Permitless carry (HB 231 and SB 3) would have eliminated the requirement that a person get a permit before carrying a loaded, hidden handgun in public. The bill would have stripped law enforcement of their ability to prevent people who present a public safety risk from carrying a concealed handgun in public and made it possible for people to carry concealed guns in public without first passing a background check. Unsurprisingly, law enforcement officials opposed this extreme legislation.
- Guns in schools (HB 435 and HB 449) would have allowed teachers and school administrators to carry guns in schools. The dangers of allowing guns in schools are well documented, which is why teachers and law enforcement largely oppose this dangerous policy. More information about the risk of allowing civilians to carry guns in schools is available here.
“We are incredibly grateful that our lawmakers listened to concerned Alabamans – including law enforcement officials – and rejected these dangerous bills,” said Anne Leader, volunteer leader with the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in American. “The dangers of allowing people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public without a permit and arming teachers are well-known, which is why we’re thankful for the gun-sense politicians who helped ensure these reckless policies didn’t become law. This is great news for our state.”
This legislative session, the Alabama chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America supported lawmakers and law enforcement officials in their successful effort to defeat these bills by:
- Organizing an advocacy day with gun violence survivors to educate members of the legislature about the dangerous consequences these proposals could have;
- Regularly testifying before legislative committees in opposition to these, and other, bills that would jeopardize public safety;
- Presenting information on the dangers of permitless carry to the Commission on 21st Century Firearms Laws;
- Launching new Moms Demand Action groups around the state to mobilize gun-sense voters; and
- Driving thousands of calls and digital messages to lawmakers urging them to stand on the side of public safety and oppose these bills.