Yesterday, House Bill 322 passed unanimously in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee and will now go to the Senate floor. Sponsored by state Representative Mark Tuggle (R-81), HB 322 would guarantee the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Alabama.
By declaring and enshrining this state constitutional right, Alabama would keep the existing fishing and hunting structure in place while protecting future generations of sportsmen from attacks initiated by well-funded anti-hunting extremists. Specifically, HB 322 would promote wildlife conservation and management. In addition, it specifies that hunting, fishing and harvesting of wildlife shall be used as the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. This proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution would ensure that sportsmen will continue to be used as Alabama’s responsible game managers instead of the taxpayer-funded sharpshooters and unproven, expensive wildlife contraception schemes employed in other jurisdictions.
Please call AND e-mail your state Senator TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to vote “YES” on HB 322 to ensure the right to hunt and fish for future generations. Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.
Also this week, Senate Bill 354 passed in the state Senate by a 20 to 7 vote. Sponsored by state Senator Scott Beason (R-17), SB 354 would allow an individual to carry a handgun in their vehicle without having to possess an Alabama pistol permit. SB 354 would also require a sheriff to issue or renew a permit within two weeks of his or her receipt of an application for a pistol permit if the applicant is not otherwise prohibited from receiving such permit.