NRA bill stalls for now in Senate

The Alabama Senate did not vote on a bill on Wednesday that would prohibit a business from creating a policy that stops customers or employees from having a legal, licensed firearm locked in their vehicle in the parking lot.

The sponsor, Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said amendments would water the bill down. With his pistol permit in his pocket, he said people should be able to protect themselves traveling to and from work.

The lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, which is pushing the bill in Alabama and other states, said he probably has 40 shotguns, a half dozen rifles and some handguns.

Bedford opposed amendments. Supporters moved to carry the bill over after Bedford did not have the votes to kill an amendment.

Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, said the bill would also help those in the state who hunt before or after work. He said there are some concerns about employers not having a right to make decisions about their private property.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said he was not trying to water down gun rights with his amendment, but was trying to keep undue liability off of business.

Bedford said liberal special interest groups have been trying to weaken and kill the legislation.

Sen. Rusty Glover, a Mobile County Republican who is a school teacher, said the bill could help teachers who are reluctant to attend evening events out of concern for their safety.

Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, said he had a firearm in his vehicle and did not always remember to renew his drivers license, but always renews his pistol permit.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen