(FAIRBANKS) - House Bill 400, sponsored by Representative John Coghill (R-North Pole) passed the House of Representatives earlier today by a unanimous vote.

The legislation would prevent the confiscation of firearms from law-abiding citizens during a disaster. Representative Coghill drafted HB 400 in response to the situation that arose following Hurricane Katrina when various government agencies entered homes in New Orleans to confiscate firearms.

Representative Coghill said of the legislation, "We learned a lesson from others' mistakes. I don't expect it would happen in Alaska, and now we have a policy that states what would happen to those that attempt to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of Alaska citizens."

HB 400 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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