Governor Palin 4 President

Fairbanks, AK - Governor Palin has signed House Bill 201 into law. The bill, sponsored by Representative Craig Johnson, changes the expiration date of a concealed handgun permit from five years from the date of issue to the person's birthday. “The right to own guns & use them responsibly is something I and many other Alaskans cherish,” Governor Palin said. “We have to be vigilant to protect the rights of individual Alaskans to own & use guns. I appreciate the work of our legislature in standing up for the Constitution.”

The Governor also signed 4 resolutions. HJR 17, sponsored by Representative John Harris, urges Congress not to pass HR 45. The federal legislation would put burdensome licensing & registration controls on individual gun owners.

SJR 10, sponsored by Senator Joe Thomas, urges Congress to pass S 371. The legislation would ensure that citizens of each state who are licensed or authorized by their home state to carry a concealed weapon, could do so in another state as long as they comply with the laws of that state. Currently, states offer this right of reciprocity through individual agreements that can vary from state to state.

HJR 27, sponsored by Representative Mike Kelly, reasserts states’ rights. The resolution reminds the federal government that the 10th Amendment limits the scope of federal powers to those specifically granted by the Constitution of the United States & no more.

SJR 3 is a resolution sponsored by Senator Gene Therriault. The resolution expresses support to Congress for repealing the ban on carrying a firearm on National Park Service lands. Congress did so in May, & the repeal becomes effective February 2010.