Springfield, VA -(AmmoLand.com)- Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) are suing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for its reversal of a letter which had previously recognized that holders of Alabama concealed carry permits (CCP) are exempt from a National Instant Check System (NICS) background check when purchasing a firearm.
While Federal law allows Alabama CCP holders to avoid the NICS check, the ATF released a “Public Safety Advisory” which instructs Alabama federal firearm license (FFLs) holders to “no longer accept CCP permits as an alternative to a NICS check.” ATF claims that, because certain ATF sheriffs have allowed a few ineligible people to obtain CCPs, the exemption for the entire state is now revoked.
The GOA/GOF suit explains the legal problems with the ATF’s position:
“Federal law – not ATF — explicitly exempts those with Alabama concealed carry permits from the NICS requirement. Alabama law clearly qualifies for the federal exemption, and the existence of one or two bad apples does not give ATF a blank check to start revoking states’ CCP exemptions.”
Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of GOA and GOF, stated,
“This is an example of the dangers of requiring government preclearance to exercise God-given rights. When the ability to purchase a firearm is left up to the whims of unelected bureaucrats, our rights are no longer rights — but mere privileges.”
Erich Pratt, or another GOA/GOF spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America, and its sister organization Gun Owners Foundation, are nonprofits dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
Gun Owners of America spokespeople are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
I didn’t see this article mention Michigan and Michigan Open Carry being the first to sue the BATFE over this same thing this year. The GOA is joining us in that lawsuit. Please try to be more thorough in the future.
“The RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.” A grade school kid has command of what this says and means. RIGHTS are not privileges. Rights, RIGHTS, are not things that can be legislated, revoked, delayed or denied. Anyone who thinks or does otherwise is evil under BIBLICAL law and is criminal under constitutional law. The atfe should be disbanded and held accountable for every RIGHT they denied, every second class citizen they and their lawyers made, every weapon they stole, every person they assaulted and person they murdered. Murder does not have a seven… Read more »
If the ATF feels a few sheriffs gave out CCP license’s to what the ATF considers people not eligible to have them, then the ATF should have went after those sheriffs.
Sounds like they are trying to change how things are done in Alabama, another case of unelected idiots putting their will over lawful gun owners.
ATF needs to abolished.
If it’s a “Public Safety Advisory”, then why would anyone honor it? Since when is an advisory deemed a law? Definition of advisory/Merriam-Webster 1: having or exercising power to advise an advisory council 2: containing or giving advice Advisory opinions adjudicate nothing and are not binding, though courts sometimes cite them as evidence of the law. Federal courts in the United States will not issue advisory opinions, but such opinions are issued occasionally by a few state courts and routinely by the attorneys general of the various states upon the request of the governor, legislators, or other state officials. And… Read more »
BATFE . . . The Jack Booted Thugs of America! BATFE = Gestapo = KGB = FBI . . . etc., etc.; etc! The BATFE are one of the MAIN SUPRESSORS of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States! The BATFE needs to be DISBANDED!!!
BATFE, dangerous jokes with a badge. The bottom of the barrel of Law Enforcement at any level. Even mall cops have more professionalism and integrity than the BATFE and are more trustworthy and honest. If you can’t meet the minimum qualifications for a school crossing guard, then you are exactly what BATFE is looking for in a Special Agent with a fast track to supervisor.
The GOA is a no nonsense, never compromising organization. They are doing more than the NRA as far as law suits against corrupt government rules and unconstitutional actions by the criminal BATF.
No slick magazines or million dollar buildings, just action.
They are more than worthy of your support !
A little more background here would be nice. Just how did Alabama CCP holders receive this “permission”? How can other states do the same? Why AREN’T other states doing the same?! If you pass a CCP background check, then you pass an NICS check. Its the same thing. Hell, if you pay the ATF the FEE to purchase an SBR or a suppressor, that check is WAY more intense! That right there should preclude you from any further/additional checks when purchasing ANY firearm! But I’d settle for the “exemption” with a CCP because I’m not paying an additional $200 FEE… Read more »
Michigan had their exemption revoked because Carry Permits were being issued to marijuana users who cannot legally own a firearm under Federal Law as a Prohibited Person.