Breaking: Alabama Constitutional Carry Sent to Governor Ivey at 3:05 p.m. , March 10 update Governor Ivey Signs Bill

The Alabama legislature has sent the Constitutional Carry bill (permitless carry), HB272, as amended by the Senate, to Governor Ivey at 3:05 p.m. on March 10, 2022.

The bill from the Senate was accepted by the House with a vote of 70 to 29. The Senate concurred 24 to 6.

This correspondent expects Governor Ivey to sign the bill, making Alabama the 22, 23, or 24th state to restore Constitutional carry. Governor Ivey has a primary coming up on May 24, 2022. With a vote in the house of 70%, and in the Senate of 80%, it would be foolish for Governor Ivey to veto HB 272.

In Alabama, if the governor vetoes a bill, a majority vote is required in each house to override the veto. If the governor does nothing, the bill becomes law after six days, not counting Sundays.

In Ohio, the SB 215 has passed the legislature and is headed to the Governor for signature. It seems likely Governor DeWine will sign the bill.

In Indiana, the legislature has passed HB 1296, a Constitutional Carry bill. It is the latest iteration from a complicated process to bypass a hostile committee Chair.  It will soon be sent to Governor Holcomb. I expect HB 1296 to become law, because Indiana has a very weak veto system. A governor's veto is easily overridden.

In Georgia, the bill has passed the Senate, with a strong assist from Governor Kemp. It has passed the House Committee.  If it passes the House, Governor Kemp is near certain to sign it.

It is unclear if Ohio, Alabama, or Indiana will be the next state to enact Constitutional Carry.

The decision is now up to the governors of the three states. As of this writing, confidential sources have informed this correspondent, that Governor Mike DeWine will sign the bill, in part to aid in his primary election. He has not yet received SB 215.

Governor Holcomb of Indiana is said to be hostile to Constitutional Carry. He has not made any official statements saying he would veto HB 1296. The bill has not yet been sent to him. After he receives the bill, if he does nothing, the bill becomes law in seven days.

The members of the Constitutional Carry (no permit required) club consisted of 21 states at the end of 2021. Those states are:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The club is about to expand. It may become 24 states by the end of March.

Georgia could make that number 25 in short order.

With over 21 states restoring Constitutional Carry , Constitutional Carry becomes the preferred method of dealing with the Second Amendment and state constitutional amendments for the right to keep and bear arms.  When 25 states have restored Constitutional Carry, half of the states will use this method.

Supreme Court justices read the media. The states have shown Constitutional Carry does not harm public safety. It is what state legislators have done to honor the right to keep and bear arms. It may have a positive effect on the justices as the opinion in the New York Rifle & Pistol Association case is before the court. In it, the justices have an opportunity to address whether the right to bear arms means more than the ability to carry a rifle from one room in the home to another.

The opinion is expected to be released in June of this year.

Update: Governor Ivey signed SB 215 1 hour after the legislature sent it to her.

©2022 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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