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Alabama Democratic State Representative Chris England filed legislation that would impose criminal penalties on firearm owners who fail to tell police that they are concealed carrying.

The law in Alabama currently requires a citizen to “immediately inform the law enforcement officer” if he or she is carrying a firearm if that officer asks during a traffic stop. That law was passed three years ago as part of a bill ending permit requirements for carrying in a vehicle.

The legislation submitted last year would “provide a criminal penalty for a violation,” specifically in the form of a class A misdemeanor, which includes a fine of $6,000 and up to one year in jail.

“I think it falls right in line with the stated mission of trying to make our streets and our cities more safe but also supporting law enforcement as well,” England asserted to local news.

Second Amendment advocacy groups raised concern about the legislation. Taylor Rhodes, the communications director at the National Association for Gun Rights, said on social media that “Alabama is going in the wrong direction” and that the state could “become a mini-California.”

But the National Police Association issued a release commending the effort from England, noting that the current reporting law is “essentially unenforceable” without a penalty attached.

“Officers would have a legal safeguard when interacting with individuals who may be armed, ensuring they are aware of concealed weapons early during encounters,” the organization said in the press release. “By requiring individuals to inform officers of concealed firearms, when asked, it reduces the potential for misunderstandings, which could escalate the encounter.”

The advocacy organization raised the concern that “the surge in shootings, assaults, and ambush-style attacks on officers in recent years has caused police officers to become even more vigilant of their environment,” leading them to assert that the penalties are needed.