(Fort Payne) The DeKalb Theater played host to over 300 citizens on Thursday night for a seminar on Alabama’s new laws pertaining to firearm licensing, otherwise known as Act 2013-283. The event, hosted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office, was intended to explain what the legal terminology behind the state’s newly drafted bill meant for gun owners already licensed in the state.
The same seminar was held early last week in Rainsville, and others are planned to spread knowledge of the bill’s changes throughout the county.
“It’s great that the sheriff is doing this. Some of the verbiage can be confusing.”
- Rainsville mayor Nick Jones
The bill, which became active on August 1, amends and condenses several sections of Alabama’s firearm laws that already stood. Amendments include a rewording of the legal definition of disorderly conduct, laws pertaining to license revocation, licensing for those with psychiatric disorders, and the repeal of some prior statutes dealing with counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions regulation firearms.
Despite the fact that the law is in effect, it has been widely recognized as incomplete.
“This bill is a work in progress.There are several questions that you will have that we can’t answer at this point in time.”
- DeKalb County District Attorney Michael O’Dell
“There will be court case that will set a legal precedent,” added Sherriff Jimmy Harris.
A pamphlet handed out at the beginning of the seminar explains the most significant changes in common vernacular.
The pamphlet reads:
“The major change is the addition of the wording that gives a defendant the rebuttable presumption that the defendant is not in violation of this section for merely carrying a visible firearm, holstered or secured, in a public place.”
“I think (this seminar) is necessary. We’re not taking a stand either way, we want people to understand how to protect themselves legally and safely.”
- Sherriff Jimmy Harris
Act2013-283 can be read in its entirety online at http://arcsos.state.al.us/PAC/SOSACPDF.001/A0009908.PDF ###