MONTGOMERY – "If one has full retirement from the military with good standing and meets requirements to get a pistol permit, the sheriff must issue the permit for free."
Those are the thoughts from Alabama Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope after he and Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden co-sponsored a bill that recently passed through the Alabama legislature.
The bill is HB59, allowing retired military veterans to apply for and receive an Alabama concealed weapon license (CWL) without a fee.
"I think it's great for our veterans because they have fought for all of our freedoms and one freedom is the right to bear arms," Harbison said. "If they are trained properly, they deserve the right to get a permit to carry a weapon anywhere throughout the state of Alabama."
This bill becoming a law for veterans statewide comes at a time where Alabama residents are obtaining pistol permits at record-setting numbers.
The law applies to non-disabled military retirees. Applicants must provide proof of retirement before being issued a permit from the sheriff of the county in which they reside. The law covers those who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard.
Giving full support of the bill co-sponsored by Harbison and Standridge is the National Rifle Association (NRA).
"This will allow qualified, low-abiding retired military veterans to apply for and receive an Alabama concealed weapon license without a fee," the NRA said in a press statement. “Thank you to NRA members and second amendment supporters that contacted the co-sponsors of the bill and the governor in support of this pro-gun measure."
Across the state, residents are required to apply for a permit to carry a firearm in the county in which they reside. Each county sets different price range for fees to purchase a firearm legally.
The sheriff of that county then has 30 days to issue the license.
Applications for local residents to obtain a permit to carry a firearm are available at the Cullman County Sheriff's Office. For more information, contact the department at 256-734-0342.
