MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- State laws protecting the elderly have been strengthened with the passage of the Protecting Alabama's Elders Act.  The bill increases the legal protections from financial exploitation and physical or emotional abuse for anyone over the age of 60. 

 "Previously, such protection applied only if the victim was defined as physically or mentally impaired," said Attorney General Luther Strange. "Sadly, experience tells us that criminals repeatedly target older people as victims, and the law passed today is a strong weapon to combat this."

Under the new law elder abuse and neglect can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony and can carry penalties as stiff as 10 years to life in prison. 

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for our next Firearms Familiarization Course which will be held on Saturday, June 8th.  The class is 8 hours and is FREE to Montgomery County citizens!  The first 4 hours are classroom instruction on firearm safety and firearm laws.  The second 4 hours are on the Firing Range under the instruction of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Range Master.  Class participants must be citizens of Montgomery County and must obtain a pistol permit prior to registering for the class.  To apply for a pistol permit, visit our website at www.MontgomerySheriff.com or come by the Sheriff’s Office at 100 South Lawrence Street, Legal Services Division or contact them direct at 832-1339.  Please keep in mind processing time is between 4-6 weeks for pistol permits to be issued.