By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The identities of people with permits to carry concealed handguns on their persons or in their cars may soon be a secret in Alabama.
A bill supported by the National Rifle Association would seal the handgun permits maintained by county sheriffs and make them available only to law enforcement officers.
The bill passed the Alabama House in February by a unanimous vote and cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. The measure is in position to come up for final passage in the full Senate when it returns Tuesday.
The sponsor of the proposed legislation, Democratic Rep. Jack Page of Gadsden, said the purpose is to prevent theft of the identity of gun owners. He said the permits also give would-be thieves information on which homes to burglarize to find guns.