As part of the 2014 mid-term election ballot, the Alabama Right to Bear Arms, Amendment 3, better known to the Alabama Legislature as House Bill 8, has been passed.
Holding 72 percent of votes, the official ballot title of the measure read as follows:
“Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms and that any restriction on this right would be subject to strict scrutiny; and to provide that no international treaty or law shall prohibit, limit, or otherwise interfere with a citizen’s fundamental right to bear arms.”
The summary that was provided for correct interpretation by voters was as follows:
“Amendment 3 provides that every citizen has the fundamental right under the State Constitution to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the State. Amendment 3 also provides that this right would be entitled to the highest protection of the law.
Amendment 3 also protects a citizen from being compelled by any treaties or laws of another country to take an action which would prohibit, limit, or otherwise interfere with his or her right to bear arms if that treaty or law would violate the United States Constitution.
If Amendment 3 IS PASSED, the right to bear arms will be elevated under the State Constitution to a fundamental right and given the highest possible protection. This right will also be provided with additional protection from potential interference by international treaty or foreign law.
If Amendment 3 IS DEFEATED, the right to bear arms in Alabama will still exist in the State Constitution, but will not be declared as a fundamental right and may not be subject to the highest possible protection. The right to bear arms will also not be protected from potential interference by international laws and treaties.
No source of funding is required for this law.
The measure will have no impact on taxes.
The Constitutional authority for passage of this Amendment is set forth in Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the State Constitution. These sections outline the way a constitutional amendment may be put to the people of the State for a vote.”
With a total of 714,389 votes in support, the amendment was PASSED and amends Article I, Section 26 of the Alabama Constitution.
Supporters argued that the amendment would simply strengthen the current Alabama right to keep and bear arms and ensure the highest level of constitutional protection.
If you are moving to Birmingham and are an avid concealed weapons carrier, rest assured that you and your family can be safe and protected by the Alabama Constitution in the unfortunate event that you may need to use a concealed weapon in self-defense.