A gun rights bill is moving forward in the Legislature. A measure allowing people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit cleared a state Senate committee on Wednesday. Some law enforcement officials, including Birmingham police chief A.C. Roper, oppose the bill, saying it could endanger the lives of officers. But Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale supports the proposal. Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hale said citizens should not have to pay a fee to exercise their Second Amendment rights. He says the permit requirement is unnecessary, because people already go through a background check when they buy a gun. The bill now heads to the full Senate.