Concealed and Open Carry of Handguns in Alabama - Sheriff Hughes Addresses the Issues

Yesterday, May 4th 2010, an individual visited the Dothan Golden Coral restaurant carrying a weapon in a open manner (not concealed). The person that had the weapon is a proponent of a web site that supports open carry by citizens in the U.S.

A person inside the restaurant had some concerns and called the Dothan Police Department. Several units responded.

It was determined that the individual was not a law enforcement officer, but did posses a valid Alabama Pistol Permit. These permits require that the weapon must be concealed. Police contacted the sheriff of the county that the permit was issued from. Dothan officers were advised that this was apparently not the first time this individual had conducted themselves in this manner. The sheriff of the county requested that the license be pulled and returned to the Sheriff's Office. Dothan Police did not charge this person with any crimes, but did retain the weapon.

This incident prompted us to sit down with Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes and to ask him his take as the chief law enforcement officer of the county on the "open carry" and "concealed carry" issue.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• concealed carry
• open carry
• andy hughes
• handguns
• dothan
• houston county

[AbnCavScout]

I am appalled that a Sheriff does not know the laws of his State. I am a former Police Officer for Alexander City, AL, - and there was a bulletin posted at our Department from the State Attorney General stating the "open carry" was legal.

[2000tc88]

In the last part he says.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

Shit I would love to have the right to OPEN or CONCEAL Carry where I live.

We`re Fucked,only crims carry guns.We can`t even carry a Knife.

[bulfighter10]

It is unfortunate that law enforcement in Alabama willing does NOT know the laws of this great state. Open carry of a firearm, no matter if it is a long gun or a handgun, has been legal since the Alabama Constitution of 1901.

[scarekrow9]

3-5 days? i got my permit inside 3-5 minutes!

[Blackcloud41]

At 0:55 he says "I really don't think right now that we have a law that allows open carry in public places in Alabama."

We also don't have a law that allows breathing air, nor hand sewing stuffed animals, nor SCUBA diving on Thursdays.

Laws don't tell you what you CAN do. They tell you what you can NOT do. You can do anything you like unless there is a law prohibiting such.

Too bad this man of law doesn't understand law.

[bigboyracer1]

It's sad that this sheriff doesn't understand the law. There isn't a law in Alabama prohibitting open carry in this state. Therefore, it is not against the law.

[natedawg1789]

According to the Attorney General of the State of Alabama, "A permit is not required when a person afoot carries an unconcealed pistol". The case of Looney v. State is precedent of this law.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

This sheriff just made the statement that because an action is not specifically allowed by law, that action is therefore prohibited.

Think about that.

[hulsey1976]

He isn't clearly versed on the actual law. Open Carry, while on foot, is perfectly legal without a permit in the State of Alabama, except where expressly prohibited by State Law.

[SpookeySVG]

Can someone direct me to the law that that prohibits concealed carry in an alcohol serving establishment?