Alabama State Representative Introduces Law to Nullify Federal Gun Control

Alabama State Representative Tommy Hanes introduced legislation in February that would make certain federal gun control laws “null and void” in Alabama.

HB 223 is titled the “Second Amendment Preservation Act” and has 7 cosponsors.
In a statement promoting the bill, Hanes declared, “It’s about standing up for the liberty of law-abiding citizens.”
“The Second Amendment is the thread that binds the Constitution. What this does is protect the people’s right to defend themselves, their family, and their property. This country was founded by patriots who recognized that an armed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. We will fight to uphold this right in Alabama,” he added.
HB 223 reads, “All federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, that infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution shall be invalid in this state, shall not be recognized by this state, are specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this state.”
“The Legislature is firmly resolved to support and defend the United States Constitution against every aggression, either foreign or domestic, and is duty-bound to watch over and oppose every infraction of those principles which constitute the basis of the Union of the States because only a faithful observance of those principles can secure the nation’s existence and the public happiness,” HB 223 asserts.
This nullification bill would make it a Class A misdemeanor for federal agents, employees, or officials to enforce federal gun control laws in the state of Alabama. Such bills are part of a growing movement of distrust motivated by the federal government’s transgressions against the Second Amendment. After Republicans had control of all three branches of government from 2017 to 2018, gun owners expected to see at least some form of progress on pro-gun legislation and possible rollbacks of federal legislation. Sadly, they were in for disappointment when no legislative reforms were made in that timespan.
Frustrated, gun owners have had to look elsewhere for a change. Fortunately for them, state legislatures have served as vehicles for reform. Gun owners have been able to score numerous victories on Constitutional Carry. Now, they can make inroads on nullification. Hanes’ bill offers a new path to reform when conventional methods fail. In politics, perseverance and adaptability are the keys to success. When certain strategies fail, liberty activists will have to innovate.
Conventionality often yields dismal results.