ACTION NEEDED - Contact Senate Judiciary Committee Members Today!
AZLA Legislative
Hi everyone,
H2316 passed out of the House, and is assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill would allow a person who possesses a valid concealed weapons permit to carry a concealed weapon in a public establishment or at a public event. Some exceptions, including for public establishments or events that are a “secured facility” (defined), that are the licensed premises of liquor licensee, that are a judicial department or law enforcement agency, that are an educational institution, and that are a vehicle or craft.
AzLA is opposed to this bill, and constructed the following talking points. We urge you to reach out to Senate Judiciary Members today to voice your opposition to the bill. I listed member names and contact information at the end of this email. Please act now in support of public libraries as safe community spaces!
H2316: Misconduct Involving Weapons; Public Places
· Libraries are public establishments that serve community members at all ages and stages of life. Everyone in the community should feel welcome and safe in their public library.
· If this bill passes, and libraries want to keep concealed weapons out of their buildings, they must become a secured facility. The burden would be on the library to purchase metal detectors or gun lockers.
o Many libraries, including most small and rural locations, would be unable to afford to purchase this new equipment.
o Libraries would need to determine whether to close or allow concealed weapons into their buildings.
· Libraries act as places of education in many communities, but are not covered under the exemptions in this bill.
o Many families use the library as a resource to homeschool their children.
o Many tutors meet clients in the library for sessions.
o These students deserve a safe space free of weapons.
Senate Judiciary Committee members re: HB2316
Chairman Petersen (R - Dist 12); wpet...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-4136
Vice-Chair Rogers (R - Dist 6); wro...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-3042
GOP Barto (R - Dist 15); nba...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-5766
Borrelli (R – Dist 5), sbor...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-5051
Leach (R - Dist 11); vle...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-3106
Dem Contreras (D - Dist 19); lcont...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-5284
Quezada (D - Dist 29); mque...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-5911
Stahl Hamilton (D - Dist 10); sstahlh...@azleg.gov; (602) 926-3279