Attorney General Inquiries Lead to Lifting of Firearms Restrictions in Alabama

An Alabama city, state agency and a county sheriff have reversed restrictions imposed on firearms following inquiries conducted by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

On July 29, Strange released public statements about complaints he had received concerning unlawful prohibitions of firearms.

Strange said complaints he received and a subsequent inquiry from his office prompted the Department of Transportation to announce last week the reversal of its prohibition of firearms at public highway rest areas in violation of state law. In addition, the city of Moulton removed signs prohibiting firearms at Moulton Recreation Center and at H.A. Alexander Park after being advised by the attorney general that the prohibition violated state law.

Further, the AG’s office reviewed a complaint that the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office’s pistol permits included “extra” conditions on the back of the permit itself. As a result of the investigation, the Sheriff agreed to omit the conditions and include only this language: “License to carry a Revolver or a Pistol Concealed on the person or in a vehicle is hereby granted, except where State law prohibits.”

In response to the Alabama AG’s inquiries and actions, The National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) issued a press release commending Strange for his investigation and “for upholding the Second Amendment rights of Alabamans.”

“Our constitutionally protected right to defend ourselves is under constant threat, in many cases by anti-gun bureaucrats or politicians who have overstepped their authority,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA-ILA. “Luther (Strange) is putting all state bureaucrats and localities on notice that Alabama will not tolerate any violation of our right to Keep and Bear Arms.”