Alabama Gun Laws

Act 2022-133 (HB 272) is Alabama's permitless-carry enabling legislation. Signed by Governor Kay Ivey on March 10, 2022, at 4:27 PM; effective January 1, 2023. The Act amended §§ 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-85, and 13A-11-90 and repealed § 13A-11-73. The Alabama Secretary of State Acts Archive record lists primary sponsor Stringer and joint sponsor Allen.

"ACT NUMBER 2022 - 133 — Bill Number H - 272 — Description: To amend sections relating to fire arms — Signed by Governor: Yes — Approved Date and Time: 3-10-2022 4:27 PM."

Act 2022-133 (HB 272, 2022 Regular Session) statute

After amendment by Act 2022-133 effective January 1, 2023, § 13A-11-50 makes 'carrying concealed' only a Class B misdemeanor 'in violation of this article' — not a stand-alone crime — and the article's other operative bans (former § 13A-11-73 'permit required') were repealed by the same Act. The practical effect is that a non-prohibited adult 19 or older may carry openly or concealed without a permit. (FindLaw mirror cited as secondary; the history note 'Act 2022-133, §1.' confirms the amending act.)

"A person who, in violation of this article, carries concealed about his or her person or in a vehicle a pistol or firearm of any other kind shall, on conviction, be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-50 (post Act 2022-133) secondary

Alabama's former 'pistol permit required to carry in vehicle or concealed on person' statute (§ 13A-11-73) was REPEALED by Act 2022-133 effective January 1, 2023. The FindLaw mirror retains the section header with the express repeal notice and the act citation.

"THIS SECTION WAS REPEALED IN THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION BY ACT 2022-133 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023. THIS IS NOT IN THE CURRENT CODE SUPPLEMENT."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-73 (REPEALED by Act 2022-133) secondary

Alabama's optional concealed carry permit is issued by the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence. Minimum age is 19 generally and 18 for active service members or honorably discharged/retired military veterans. Permits are valid for one year, five years, or lifetime. Default fees (if no local law): $25 / 1-year, $125 / 5-year, $300 / lifetime ($150 if 60+); no fee for service members, veterans, or LE officers. No mandatory training. Sheriff must approve or deny within 30 days; denial appealable to district court.

"An Alabama resident who is 19 years of age or more may apply to the sheriff of his or her county of residence for issuance or renewal of a concealed carry permit, valid for one year or five years."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-75 (Concealed Carry Permit — issuance, fee, revocation) secondary

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirms that a person applies for an Alabama concealed handgun permit through the sheriff of his or her county of residence (Ala. Code § 13A-11-75) and that Alabama recognizes any valid out-of-state permit (§ 13A-11-85). ALEA also confirms that Alabama issues concealed handgun licenses only to Alabama residents.

"In Alabama, a person may apply for a concealed handgun permit to the Sheriff of the county in which they reside."

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Gun Laws / Pistol Permits ag

Open carry of a pistol is not, by itself, disorderly conduct in Alabama. § 13A-11-7(c) — most recently amended by Act 2022-133 — expressly provides that the mere carrying of a pistol, holstered or otherwise secured, without brandishing, in a public place, does not violate the disorderly-conduct statute. 'Brandishing' is defined as waving, flourishing, or displaying in a threatening or wanton manner.

"The mere carrying of a pistol, holstered or otherwise secured on or about one's person, without brandishing the weapon, in a public place, in and of itself, is not a violation of this section."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-7(c) (Disorderly Conduct — pistol-carry carve-out) secondary

Act 2013-283 (SB 286) is the firearms-reform act that established Alabama's modern open-carry framework and is the historical hook for the § 13A-11-7(c) disorderly-conduct carve-out (open carry of a holstered pistol in a public place, without brandishing, is not disorderly conduct). Act 2013-283 also created the express carve-outs in the state preemption statute (§ 13A-11-61.3) that allow narrowly enumerated local rules (e.g., zoning, peace-officer duty weapons, municipal discharge ordinances). Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on May 21, 2013.

"ACT NUMBER 2013 - 283 — Bill Number S - 286 — Description: TO AMEND SEC 11-80-11 RELATING TO FIREARMS — Signed by Governor: Yes — Approved Date and Time: 5-21-2013 2:40 PM."

Act 2013-283 (SB 286, 2013 Regular Session) statute

Following the repeal of § 13A-11-73 and the disorderly-conduct carve-out at § 13A-11-7(c), a non-prohibited adult 19 or older may carry a loaded handgun in his or her vehicle — including in the glove box, center console, or trunk — without a permit. The pre-2023 'unloaded handgun in vehicle' restriction is no longer operative.

"The mere carrying of a pistol, holstered or otherwise secured on or about one's person, without brandishing the weapon, in a public place, in and of itself, is not a violation of this section."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-7(c) (read with permitless carry) secondary

Alabama's guns-in-trunks statute prohibits employers from restricting an employee's transport or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm in the employee's privately owned motor vehicle parked in a public or private parking area, provided the storage conditions in subsection (b) are met (concealed in observation if employee present; locked in compartment/container if absent) and the employee qualifies (concealed-carry permit, OR a valid Alabama hunting license + unloaded firearm + qualifying conditions). Employers may still ban firearms from the workplace itself; employers may inquire about firearm presence if they believe an employee presents a risk of harm. Note: Act 2022-133 amended this section effective Jan 1, 2023 to broaden coverage to permitless carriers; cited URL is the pre-amendment Wayback snapshot of the official Alabama Legislature page.

"A public or private employer may not restrict or prohibit the transportation or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee's privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in a public or private parking area if the employee satisfies all of the following..."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-90 (Restrictions on firearms by employers) statute

A person licensed to carry a handgun in any state is authorized to carry in Alabama, provided the license holder is not an Alabama resident and complies with Alabama law. The Attorney General is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states and publish the list of states that recognize Alabama permits. Note: amended by Act 2022-133 effective Jan 1, 2023 — cited URL is the official pre-amendment Alabama Legislature page archived in Wayback.

"A person licensed to carry a handgun in any state shall be authorized to carry a handgun in this state. This section shall apply to a license holder from another state only while the license holder is not a resident of this state."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-85 (Reciprocity for licenses issued in other states) statute

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirms that Alabama recognizes any valid out-of-state permit (Ala. Code § 13A-11-85) and does not issue concealed-carry permits to non-resident applicants.

"Yes. Under Alabama Code Section 13A-11-85, Alabama will recognize any valid out of state permit."

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Gun Laws (Reciprocity) ag

Alabama codifies a castle-doctrine presumption: a person is legally presumed justified in using deadly physical force against another who is in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering — or has unlawfully and forcefully entered — a dwelling, residence, business property, or occupied vehicle, when the defender knows or has reason to believe the entry is unlawful and forcible. The presumption does not apply if the entrant has a right to be there, is a child/grandchild in lawful custody, the defender is engaged in unlawful activity, or the entrant is a law enforcement officer performing official duties. Verified via FindLaw mirror current as of December 30, 2024.

"A person may use deadly physical force, and is legally presumed to be justified in using deadly physical force in self-defense or the defense of another person... if the person reasonably believes that another person is... In the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or has unlawfully and forcefully entered, a dwelling, residence, business property, or occupied vehicle."

Ala. Code § 13A-3-23(a) secondary

Alabama is a stand-your-ground state: a person who is justified under subsection (a) in using physical force, including deadly force, and who is not engaged in unlawful activity and is in any place where he or she has the right to be, has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground. Verified via FindLaw mirror current as of December 30, 2024.

"A person who is justified under subsection (a) in using physical force, including deadly physical force, and who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and is in any place where he or she has the right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground."

Ala. Code § 13A-3-23(b) secondary

Alabama provides a statutory pretrial immunity procedure: a defendant who raises a § 13A-3-23 defense may move for a pretrial hearing at which he must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the force used was justified. If proven, the court must enter an order finding the defendant immune from criminal prosecution and dismissing the charges. If the burden is not met at the pretrial hearing, the defendant may still raise self-defense at trial, where the state bears the burden of proving all elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

"If, after a pretrial hearing under subdivision (2), the court concludes that the defendant has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that force, including deadly force, was justified, the court shall enter an order finding the defendant immune from criminal prosecution and dismissing the criminal charges."

Ala. Code § 13A-3-23(d) (Pretrial immunity hearing) secondary

Alabama imposes no statutory duty to proactively volunteer to a law enforcement officer that you are armed. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Gun Laws page confirms basic carry rules without describing any proactive-disclosure obligation. A separate statute (cited by NRA-ILA as § 13A-11-96) bars an occupant of a stopped vehicle who is transporting a loaded handgun from knowingly touching the handgun once an officer begins approaching unless the officer directs otherwise.

"Where do you apply for a concealed handgun permit in Alabama? In Alabama, a person may apply for a concealed handgun permit to the Sheriff of the county in which they reside."

Alabama — no general duty to proactively disclose ag

§ 13A-11-96 prohibits a driver or occupant of a vehicle stopped on a traffic stop or for another law enforcement purpose, who is transporting or has a loaded handgun in the vehicle, from knowingly touching the handgun once the officer begins approaching and until the officer ends the encounter, unless the officer directs otherwise. This is a 'hands-off' rule during the officer's approach, not a proactive-disclosure duty. NRA-ILA is cited as a secondary source because the primary statute text could not be re-pinned to an official Alabama source for this dataset.

"A driver or occupant of a vehicle stopped on a traffic stop or for another law enforcement purpose and who is transporting or has a loaded handgun in the vehicle cannot knowingly touch the handgun once the law enforcement officer begins approaching and until the officer ends the encounter, unless the officer directs otherwise."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-96 (Handling firearm during law enforcement encounter in vehicle) secondary

Alabama prohibits firearm possession (even by permit holders, absent express permission from someone with authority over the premises) at: police/sheriff/highway-patrol stations and detention facilities; inpatient psychiatric/mental treatment facilities; courthouses and courthouse annexes, district attorney offices, county-commission/city-council meeting rooms, and primary offices of elected officials; school and professional athletic events not involving firearms (athletic events require either express permission OR a recognized concealed carry permit); and any building that limits unauthorized-person access by guards and security features (magnetometers, key cards, biometric screening, turnstiles, etc.) during normal hours. Required signage at public entrances. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor.

"In addition to any other place limited or prohibited by state or federal law, a person, including a person with a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75 or recognized under Section 13A-11-85, may not knowingly possess or carry a firearm in any of the following places without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises..."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.2 (Possession of firearms in certain places) statute

Subject to limited statutory exceptions (school security personnel, school resource officers, law enforcement officers, and persons holding a valid § 13A-11-75 concealed-carry permit), no person may knowingly with intent to do bodily harm carry or possess a deadly weapon on the premises of a public school. Violation is a Class C felony.

"Subject to the exceptions provided by Section 13A-11-74, no person shall knowingly with intent to do bodily harm carry or possess a deadly weapon on the premises of a public school."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-72(d) (Carrying deadly weapon on public school premises) secondary

§ 13A-11-74 is the exemptions statute cross-referenced by § 13A-11-72(d) (deadly weapon on public school premises). It identifies categories of persons who are not affected by the firearm provisions of Article 3 of Title 13A, Chapter 11, including law enforcement officers, members of the armed forces and National Guard while on duty, and certain other authorized persons. The exemptions framework is what allows on-duty police, school security personnel, and active-duty military to carry on school premises and other otherwise-restricted locations cited in this article.

Ala. Code § 13A-11-74 (Certain persons exempt from firearm restrictions in this article) secondary

It is unlawful for any person (other than a law enforcement officer) to possess on their person or in their vehicle any firearm — loaded or unloaded — while attending or participating in a demonstration at a public place, or within 1,000 feet of such a demonstration after being warned by a police officer to leave the area. 'Demonstration' includes picketing, speechmaking, marches, and vigils. NRA-ILA summary cited as secondary because the primary statute text could not be re-pinned to an official Alabama source.

"It is unlawful for any person (other than a law enforcement officer) to possess, on their person or in their vehicle, any firearm (loaded or unloaded) while attending or participating in any demonstration being held at a public place."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-59 (Possession of firearms at demonstrations) secondary

Alabama does not require a state-level background check for private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals. Federally licensed dealers must run the federally required NICS check (Alabama uses the federal NICS directly; it is not a point-of-contact state). A person holding a valid Alabama concealed-carry permit is exempt from the federal NICS check at purchase per the ATF Brady Permit Chart.

"Alabama does not require a background check for firearms transactions that do not involve a licensed firearm dealer."

FBI NICS (Alabama is not a point-of-contact state) secondary

Federal law prohibits a federally licensed dealer from selling a handgun to a buyer under 21, or any other firearm or ammunition to a buyer under 18. Alabama imposes no additional state purchase-age beyond the federal floor; private in-state transfers between unlicensed adults are not bound by these FFL minimums.

"any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age."

18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) (federal FFL purchase-age floor) atf

Alabama's general age of majority is 19, which sets the floor for the Alabama optional concealed-carry permit (18+ for service members and veterans). It does not alter the federal FFL purchase ages of 18 for long guns and 21 for handguns.

"General state law defines the age of majority as 19; see Ala. Code Ann. § 26-1-1."

Ala. Code § 26-1-1 (age of majority is 19) secondary

Alabama does not require firearm registration. A 2024 state law codified at Ala. Code §§ 5-29-3 affirmatively prohibits any state governmental entity, agent, or employee from keeping or causing to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or the owners of firearms. The Attorney General is authorized to investigate and bring enforcement actions for alleged violations.

"Under a state law enacted in 2024, a state governmental entity, or agent or employee of such governmental entity, is prohibited from keeping or causing to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately-owned firearms or the owners of firearms."

Ala. Code § 5-29-3 (2024 anti-registry law) secondary

Alabama has not enacted an extreme risk protection order ('red flag') law. NRA-ILA's Alabama compendium (last updated July 22, 2025) confirms no red-flag law is on the books; no enacted ERPO legislation has been identified in the 2024 or 2025 sessions.

"Alabama does not have a 'red flag' law."

Alabama — no Extreme Risk Protection Order law secondary

Alabama has no state assault-weapon ban. State preemption under Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.3 reserves regulation of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories exclusively to the Legislature and bars local governments from enacting their own bans, definitions, or registration schemes.

"the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance, or rule promulgated or enforced by any political subdivision of this state."

Alabama — no assault weapon ban; § 13A-11-61.3 preempts local bans statute

Alabama imposes no magazine-capacity limit, and the preemption statute at § 13A-11-61.3 bars local governments from imposing one.

"the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories."

Alabama — no magazine-capacity statute statute

The National Firearms Act imposes registration, transfer, and excise-tax requirements on suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), machine guns, and other defined NFA items.

"The NFA was originally enacted in 1934. Similar to the current NFA, the original Act imposed a tax on the making and transfer of firearms defined by the Act, as well as a special (occupational) tax on persons and entities engaged in the business of importing, manufacturing, and dealing in NFA firearms."

26 U.S.C. ch. 53 (National Firearms Act) / ATF atf

Alabama makes it a state-level felony to possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun in violation of federal law. The implication: SBRs and SBSs that are properly NFA-registered are not state-prohibited; SBRs/SBSs that are not NFA-compliant are a state felony. Peace officers acting in official duties are exempt.

"It is a felony to possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use a 'short-barreled rifle' or a 'short-barreled shotgun' in violation of federal law."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-63 (Short-barreled rifles and shotguns) secondary

Alabama makes it a felony to possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use a part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun (e.g., Glock auto-sears, often called 'Glock switches'). The statute exempts (1) firearms or parts registered in the federal National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, or otherwise not subject to NFA registration, and (2) devices increasing rate of fire that do not enable a semiautomatic pistol to fire more than two shots without manual reloading by a single trigger function.

"Alabama law doesn't regulate machine guns, but makes it a felony to possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use a part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun. This law exempts any person whose firearm, part, or combination of parts is registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record..."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-82.1 (Machine-gun conversion devices) secondary

Alabama preempts the entire field of firearm, ammunition, and firearm-accessory regulation to the exclusion of any county, municipal, or other political-subdivision ordinance or rule. Limited carve-outs exist for: rules governing peace officers' duty weapons; employer regulation of employee carry during official duties; generally applicable zoning ordinances; local rules of operation for publicly owned firing ranges; sheriff permit administration under § 13A-11-75; municipal/county regulation of discharge within their boundaries (with a self-defense carve-out); and generally applicable sales/use taxes at non-discriminatory rates. A person adversely affected may petition the Attorney General to seek declaratory and injunctive relief in circuit court; courts may award reasonable expenses to prevailing petitioners.

"Except as otherwise provided in Act 2013-283 or as expressly authorized by a statute of this state, the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance, or rule promulgated or enforced by any political subdivision of this state."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.3 statute

A political subdivision may not offer remuneration for the surrender or transfer of a privately owned firearm as a method of reducing the number of privately owned firearms within the subdivision. This effectively bars municipal gun-buyback programs.

"nothing in this section authorizes or permits a political subdivision to offer remuneration for the surrender or transfer of a privately owned firearm to the political subdivision or another party as a method of reducing the number of privately owned firearms within the political subdivision."

Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.3(g)(6) (gun-buyback prohibition) statute

Effective January 1, 2023, Alabama enacted permitless concealed carry through Act 2022-133 (HB 272). Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill on March 10, 2022. The Act amended §§ 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-85, and 13A-11-90 and repealed § 13A-11-73 (the prior 'permit required' statute). The optional Alabama concealed-carry permit issued by county sheriffs under § 13A-11-75 was retained.

"ACT NUMBER 2022 - 133 — Bill Number H - 272 — Signed by Governor: Yes — Approved Date and Time: 3-10-2022 4:27 PM."

Act 2022-133 (HB 272, permitless carry) statute

In 2024, Alabama enacted a firearm-owner data-privacy and anti-registry law codified at Ala. Code §§ 5-29-3, signed by Governor Ivey on May 6, 2024 (Senate Bill 281). The law prohibits state governmental entities, agents, and employees from keeping any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or firearm owners, and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and enforce against violations.

"Under a state law enacted in 2024, a state governmental entity, or agent or employee of such governmental entity, is prohibited from keeping or causing to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately-owned firearms or the owners of firearms."

Ala. Code §§ 5-29-3 (2024 firearm-owner financial privacy / anti-registry) secondary

In 2024, Alabama enacted a firearm-owner financial privacy and anti-registry law codified at Ala. Code §§ 5-29-3. Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 281 on May 6, 2024. The law prohibits any state governmental entity, agent, or employee from keeping or causing to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or firearm owners. The Attorney General is authorized to investigate and enforce against violations. NRA-ILA's Alabama compendium (last updated July 22, 2025) identifies and summarizes the law.

Ala. Code §§ 5-29-3 (2024 SB 281)

Alabama House Bill 272, enacted as Act 2022-133, eliminated the permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun. Any person 19 or older who is not federally prohibited from possessing a firearm may now carry openly or concealed without a permit. Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill on March 10, 2022; the effective date was January 1, 2023. The Act amended §§ 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-85, and 13A-11-90, and repealed § 13A-11-73 (the former 'permit required to carry in vehicle or concealed on person' statute). The optional § 13A-11-75 county-sheriff-issued permit was retained for reciprocity and NICS-exemption purposes.

Act 2022-133 (HB 272, 2022 Regular Session)