Observations on HB 269

There have been over 6,300 permits issued in Alaska for carrying concealed handguns since that right was recognized in state law in 1994. The Department of Public Safety has done a remarkable job of ensuring fair and speedy processing of applications.

However, Alaskans have voiced some complaints on overly restrictive and confusing prohibitions and regulations leading to a burdensome waste of time. Many of these stipulations were included in the original legislation due to courteous consideration of the dire predictions of mayhem in the streets from some members of the legal community and law enforcement. None of those dire predictions has proven accurate during years of experience and it is appropriate to restore equal rights for law-abiding citizens.

For the most part, the law is working. Crime is down. According to the information we have from the Department of Public Safety, of 6,300 permittees, not one person has used their concealed handgun to commit a crime.

Similar legislation (SB177) passed last session by large majorities, but was vetoed by the Governor. Even though legislation last year prohibited anyone from drinking and carrying a concealed handgun, some felt that whether one was drinking or not, no concealed handguns should be allowed in bars. In the spirit of compromise, we have drafted HB 269 (SB 141) to allow concealed handguns in restaurants regulated under AS 04.16.049 and not in bars.

This bill does not change other state law restricting carrying weapons in bars or schools. All the other existing laws restricting handguns in bars and schools remain in force.

If HB 269 (SB 141) is passed, the simple effect would be that anywhere you can carry a handgun openly (which you can do without training, without background checks, without fingerprinting, and without a permit) you will be able to carry a permitted concealed handgun.

If 300,000 adult Alaskans can legally carry a handgun openly, there is no reason to have greater restrictions for the 6,300 Alaskans who have been fingerprinted, checked, trained and permitted.

The existing law is too restrictive, too confusing and too expensive. For example, under current law you are prohibited from walking into a financial institution with a permitted concealed handgun, but you are allowed to take the handgun out and carry it openly into the bank. Existing law too often turns common sense on its head.