Concealed carry permits no longer accepted as background check

Concealed carry permits issued by Alabama sheriffs will no longer be accepted as a background check for firearm purchases.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the rule in a memorandum this week after learning that some Alabama sheriffs have been issuing concealed carry permits to people without full background checks, and even when the National Instant Criminal Background Check System denied the application. The sheriffs were not named.

A spokesman for the federal agency said licensed gun shops have been notified of the change, and that the rule is effective immediately. Federally-licensed gun shops across Alabama can no longer accept a concealed carry permit as proof that a criminal background check has been done on a buyer.

As a consequence of the practice, federal authorities said guns have been transferred to convicted felons and other prohibited buyers in violation of federal law, creating a substantial public safety concern. The number of guns may have been transferred to prohibited buyers was not provided.

Read more: https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/concealed-carry-permits-no-longer-accepted-as-background-check/article_b1b32964-ae50-11e9-936f-97e7bfede430.html

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