AK Bill Introduced to Neuter Federal Gun Control Enforcement

An Alaska representative has revealed a bill that would prevent state authorities from enforcing federal gun control laws. It’s the latest red state to propose such a law in a trend that may be growing across the country.

The Bill

Representative David C Eastman (a Republican) introduced House Bill 372, late in February. The law would prevent any member of a state- or municipal-level authority from enforcing federal-level gun firearms laws. That includes executive orders issued by the president, federal regulations from an agency (like the ATF) or laws made by congress.

Additionally – and almost more importantly – the bill prevents any agency from providing federal agencies with “material aid and support” to enforce federal gun laws.

The law specifically states that this is only for law-abiding citizens. In other words, if someone breaks a federal gun rule while they’re also committing another crime, state agencies can still help the feds.

Anyone who violated House Bill 372 would receive a $50,000 finde and any agency that employed them would also receive a $50,000 fine.

Resemblance to Missouri Law

One of the things that I find most interesting about this case is that Alaska isn’t the first state to propose this kind of law. Missouri passed a similar law last year, making it the first state to prohibit the enforcement of federal gun laws. In a world where more and more states are facing the real probability of assault weapons bans (cross your fingers for everyone in Colorado, please), it’s nice to see a few states passing laws in the polar opposite direction just as Missouri has done.

Final Thoughts

Alaska continues to deliver as one of the last true bastions of liberty in the US. They’re like the anti-Hawaii. I wish more states were striving to be like Alaska than California in terms of the bills they pass.

With that being said, this bill is still in its super early stages. It’s only just been introduced. That means it still has to pass through a committee. After that, both the Alaska Senate and the House of Representatives need to vote for it.

If both of those bodies pass the bill, Governor Mike Dunleavy will have the opportunity to either veto it or sign it into law. Dunleavy is a staunch Republican, so it’s assumed he’ll sign the bill if it reaches his desk.