Montana Concealed Weapons Permit

Arizona concealed weapons bill should come into force
by Michael Webster: syndicated investigative reporter. April 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM PDT

In the next week, Arizona could become the first state with large urban populations to allow U.S. citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a license in the State of Arizona. Only Alaska and Vermont have adopted similar laws.
The House voted Thursday to make Arizona the third state in the country to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit, sending the governor a bill that would allow Arizona to forego background checks and classes that are now needed.
Currently, Arizona carry a concealed weapon without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by six months in prison and a fine up to $ 2500.
Senate Bill 1108, designed by Senator Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, passed the House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 36-19 and no comments on both sides.
"It's a great day," National Rifle Association lobbyist Dogal Matt said. "This is a major restoration of a primary right."
The bill goes to governor on Monday, and the Governor Jan Brewer will have until Saturday to sign it, veto it, or do nothing and allow it to become law. The law would take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which could happen in the coming weeks.
Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said she has not made a final decision on whether she will sign the bill. "But she has a long history of strong and vigorous support of the Second Amendment," he said.

April 4, there were 154,279 active concealed-carry weapons permits in Arizona. The permit has generated 1.8 million in revenue last year,
by Harold Sanders, Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman. The money is used to help cover the costs of enforcement of laws relating to highway patrol, the operation of vehicles carrying weapons concealed weapons program licensing and impoundment. Sanders said it is impossible to know how the law would only affect employees or the state budget.
Dogal said gun owners are still likely to get a permit. They would still be required to carry a gun in a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol as well as a weapon to make Arizona his hidden in most states.
Training requirements for licensure would change under the bill. John Thomas, a lobbyist for the chiefs of police in Arizona, said the new provisions do not require classroom training to a specified number of hours or include any practice on the use of the weapon.
A background check would still be required by the federal government to obtain a permit and buy a gun in most cases. Brewer this week signed another law that exempts guns drawn and stored in Arizona, federal regulations, including background checks.

The association of chiefs was at first opposed the bill on concealed weapons. He worked for several provisions added, and the group is now neutral. These provisions include requiring gun owners to respond specifically to an officer when asked if they are carrying a weapon and allowing police to confiscate the weapon temporarily while they are in contact with someone .
"You're going to have officers approaching people and asking them if they are carrying a weapon," he said. "If a policeman asks you if you are carrying a weapon and you do not answer exactly is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail. "
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed Arizona Firearms Freedom Act (HB 2307) into law, making Arizona the sixth state to adopt such legislation historic Tenth Amendment.

The Arizona Legislature passed Act 2307 on April 5. The new law exempts firearms, firearms or ammunition accessory federal regulations as long as the weapon is manufactured, sold and used in the station.