"" Wed, Apr 02 2014 , 02: 13 PM CDT
MOBILE, Ala . (WPMI ) A controversial gun bill
was shot down by members of the Alabama
House Committee on Wednesday .
The legislation would have allowed people to
carry loaded pistols in their vehicles without a
concealed carry permit . Several local law
enforcement agencies spent Wednesday in
Montgomery strongly opposing the bill. Many
stated it would trigger safety concerns,
especially during traffic stops.
"It was shot down in the best interest of
public safety and the citizens of this state , "
said Prichard Police Chief Jerry Speziale .
"It would have been dangerous to our
citizens, it would 've been dangerous to our
police officers , it would've been dangerous to
our teenagers , and it 's just not good , " said
Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran.
As the law stands now, without a permit,
handguns kept inside of a vehicle are
required to be unloaded , locked away and out
of reach.
"You walk up on a car , that individual may
be wanted , that individual may be armed , you
the police officer, don' t know that, " Speziale
said.
“This would have allowed someone that the
sheriff had denied for good cause, to not
have a concealed carry permit would still be
able to drive around town with a loaded
pistol," Cochran said .
No lawmaker seconded a motion to approve
the bill , meaning it is dead for the session .
Republican Sen . Scott Beason says he's
disappointed. Beason says people should not
have to pay a fee to keep a loaded gun in
their car . Beason offered to change the bill so
people could get a lifetime permit to keep a
loaded weapon in their vehicle. People would
still have to undergo a background check, but
not pay a fee."
Link.

What the article doesnt tell you:

1. Its perfectly legal to carry a firearm in open view in Alabama.....until you get into a vehicle *scratches head*

2. You can carry a loaded firearm in your vehicle in Alabama if you have a concealed carry permit.....btw, those fees for a ccl are paid yearly to the county sheriff in Alabama....so if there was a law allowing any law abiding citizen to carry in a vehicle, would the local sheriffs see these fees decrease? Is that why they opposed it? Hmm...

3. Any law abiding citizen here in my state can carry a loaded weapon in their vehicle....its considered an extension of their home.

4. Surely all the criminals will follow the law and keep all their handguns unloaded and out of reach while driving, right? *sarcasm dripping from my keyboard, and puddling in a putrid mess on the floor*