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New "Warning System" bill aims to protect officers

A new bill is on the table-- one that lawmakers hope will alert officers of concealed weapons, potential threats and help save lives.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —

We’ve had a record seven Alabama law enforcement deaths in just over a year. But, a new bill is on the table-- one that lawmakers hope will alert officers to potential threats and save lives.

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It's called AROWS, or the “Alabama Responding Officer Warning System”. 

This bill would create a state-wide information database for pistol permits issued by the sheriff of each county. But, the database would also include information on a suspect’s criminal history, including recent arrests and any violent offenses. 

Lawmakers say this could help keep officers safe. 

We spoke with Steven Young, of the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department. He tells our reporter, officers have many steps to follow when they are making a stop or approaching a person. Young adds, “They have to go through additional steps to confirm. That takes their attention off the situation in front of them.” 

The Alabama Sheriffs Association announced the creation of the new information system in a press release. The bill was introduced by Republican Rep. Shane Stringer. 

According to the United States Concealed Carry Association, there have been 998,000 concealed carry licences issued in Alabama. That means just over a fifth of the population have these licences.

Right now, concealed carry permits are issued by the sheriffs of each county. Each sheriff can maintain separate databases of people who are authorized to carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on their person within this state. 

But, the new bill aims to change that, and bring all that information to one system. We stopped by Limestone County Sheriff’s Office to talk about what a system like the one proposed could mean for law enforcement.

Steven Young tells us, “Any tool that allows deputies and officers to easily access a database that would tell them if the person that their dealing with has a valid concealed carry permit from another state of another county would be a useful tool.” 

In Limestone County, officers encounter “Concealed Carry” licences almost daily.

Steven Young says, “We process around 7,000 permits on average per year.” 

But, if a deputy in Limestone County stops someone, they can’t see if they have a valid “concealed carry” licence by just searching their driver’s licence information. 

They have to call dispatch and request that information, which takes additional time. 

Young adds,  “It’s not that we don’t have the information. It’s the amount of time that it takes to retrieve the information.”

The AROWS system would also create a standard appearance for all Alabama “concealed carry” permits. Lawmakers say this could help officers recognize fake permits a lot quicker. 

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