nastyleg
03-24-2010, 03:06 AM
Senate preliminarily approves guns bill
PHOENIX - The Arizona Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to legislation that would make Arizona the third state allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.
The Senate approved the measure in a voice vote, setting the stage for a formal vote. Passage would send it to the House.
The measure would make it legal for any U.S. citizen 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without the permit now required. Currently, carrying a hidden firearm without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
If the legislation is enacted, Arizona would join Alaska and Vermont in not requiring permits to carry concealed weapons.
The Wyoming House in February approved a bill to allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit, but the measure died in the Senate after gun-rights groups angered lawmakers with a massive e-mail campaign that clogged their inboxes.
By eliminating the permit requirement, Arizonans no longer would have to undergo background checks and take training classes to carry hidden guns. They would still be subject to background checks required under federal law when buying a gun from a store.
People carrying a concealed weapon would be required to tell a police officer if asked, and the officer could temporarily take the weapon while communicating with the gun carrier.
Mesa Republican Sen. Russell Pearce sponsored the legislation. Pearce said lawmakers removed a provision that would have allowed concealed weapons in some public buildings and events, following a request by Gov. Jan Brewer's office. And they added a provision making it illegal to carry a hidden firearm while committing a felony.
The changes prompted the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police to drop its opposition to the bill. The organization's president, Sahuarita Police Chief John Harris, said the chiefs saw the bill was going to pass anyway so they wanted to ensure it was as favorable as possible.
Supporters have said criminals don't honor current laws, so the permitting requirements only burden law-abiding citizens who just want to protect themselves.
John Wentling, vice president of gun-rights lobbying group Arizona Citizens Defense League, said nearly all adults are allowed to carry a gun openly in Arizona and shouldn't face extra restrictions just to hide the gun.
``To have them jump through all these hoops just to untuck their shirt just seems unconscionable,'' Wentling said.
Opponents have said eliminating the permit requirement would pose risks to police officers and the public, partly through accidental gun discharges by people not adequately trained in firearms safety.
Under the legislation, permits still could be obtained on an optional basis so Arizonans could carry concealed weapons in states with reciprocity agreements. Permits also would be required to carry weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Senators beat back an attempt to add an amendment requiring sellers at gun shows to verify buyers' citizenship.
Arizona in 2009 loosened its gun laws to lift a ban on guns in establishments that serve alcohol, although gun-bearers still cannot drink alcohol and establishments can ban firearms.
Brewer, a Republican who took office in January 2009, signed that measure into law. Her predecessor, Democrat Janet Napolitano, vetoed several measures pushed by gun-rights supporters.
http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1277062
PHOENIX - The Arizona Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to legislation that would make Arizona the third state allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.
The Senate approved the measure in a voice vote, setting the stage for a formal vote. Passage would send it to the House.
The measure would make it legal for any U.S. citizen 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona without the permit now required. Currently, carrying a hidden firearm without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
If the legislation is enacted, Arizona would join Alaska and Vermont in not requiring permits to carry concealed weapons.
The Wyoming House in February approved a bill to allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit, but the measure died in the Senate after gun-rights groups angered lawmakers with a massive e-mail campaign that clogged their inboxes.
By eliminating the permit requirement, Arizonans no longer would have to undergo background checks and take training classes to carry hidden guns. They would still be subject to background checks required under federal law when buying a gun from a store.
People carrying a concealed weapon would be required to tell a police officer if asked, and the officer could temporarily take the weapon while communicating with the gun carrier.
Mesa Republican Sen. Russell Pearce sponsored the legislation. Pearce said lawmakers removed a provision that would have allowed concealed weapons in some public buildings and events, following a request by Gov. Jan Brewer's office. And they added a provision making it illegal to carry a hidden firearm while committing a felony.
The changes prompted the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police to drop its opposition to the bill. The organization's president, Sahuarita Police Chief John Harris, said the chiefs saw the bill was going to pass anyway so they wanted to ensure it was as favorable as possible.
Supporters have said criminals don't honor current laws, so the permitting requirements only burden law-abiding citizens who just want to protect themselves.
John Wentling, vice president of gun-rights lobbying group Arizona Citizens Defense League, said nearly all adults are allowed to carry a gun openly in Arizona and shouldn't face extra restrictions just to hide the gun.
``To have them jump through all these hoops just to untuck their shirt just seems unconscionable,'' Wentling said.
Opponents have said eliminating the permit requirement would pose risks to police officers and the public, partly through accidental gun discharges by people not adequately trained in firearms safety.
Under the legislation, permits still could be obtained on an optional basis so Arizonans could carry concealed weapons in states with reciprocity agreements. Permits also would be required to carry weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Senators beat back an attempt to add an amendment requiring sellers at gun shows to verify buyers' citizenship.
Arizona in 2009 loosened its gun laws to lift a ban on guns in establishments that serve alcohol, although gun-bearers still cannot drink alcohol and establishments can ban firearms.
Brewer, a Republican who took office in January 2009, signed that measure into law. Her predecessor, Democrat Janet Napolitano, vetoed several measures pushed by gun-rights supporters.
http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1277062