Alabama Gun Control Laws

Alabama Criminal Code, Chapter 11, Article 3, Sections 50 - 98

Carrying Concealed Weapons - Section 13A-11-50

Carrying Rifle or Shotgun Walking Cane - Section 13A-11-54

Improper Transfer of Firearm or Weapon - Section 13A-11-58.1

Possession or Sale of Brass or Steel Teflon-Coated Handgun Ammunition - Section 13A-11-60

Unlawful Discharge of Firearms - Section 13A-11-61

Discharging Firearm into School Bus or School Building Section 13A-11-61.1

Possession of Short-Barreled Shot Gun - Section 13A-11-63

Possession of Firearm After Identification Altered - Section 13A-11-64

Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms - Section 13A-11-72

Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit - Section 13A-11-74.1

Permit to Carry Concealed Pistol - Section 13A-11-75

Delivery to Minors, Other Prohibited Persons - Section 13A-11-76

Penalties for Illegal Firearms - Section 13A-11-84

• Firearms that have had their manufacturing number altered or removed
• Short-barreled shotguns and short-barreled rifles (unless in compliance with federal law)
• Brass or steel Teflon-coated handgun ammunition

There is no waiting period for the purchase of a firearm in Alabama.

The following persons may not possess or own a firearm:

• Anyone who has been convicted of committing, or attempting to commit, a crime of violence, a misdemeanor offense of domestic violence, or one of the felonious violent offenses specifically listed in the criminal statute
• Those under a domestic abuse protection order
• Individuals found to be of unsound mind based on incompetency, mental illness, marked subnormal intelligence, lack of mental capacity, or being a danger to oneself or others
• Defendants in criminal cases found to be insane, not guilty by reason of mental illness, or mentally unfit to stand trial
• Those who have been involuntarily committed for a final commitment of inpatient care to the Department of Mental Health or a Veterans Administration
• Drug addicts
• "Habitual drunkards"
• Minors under 18 years of age
• Noncitizens that are illegally and unlawfully in the U.S.
• Those banned under federal law

Alabama does not require a license to purchase or own a gun.

No. Alabama does not require a license to carry a concealed firearm in public. Anyone who is not under a state or federal prohibition from possession can carry a concealed firearm in the state. There may be location restrictions. Alabama maintains a concealed carry license for reciprocity with other states.

Yes. Open carry is allowed. Handguns must be secured, such as in a holster. The state of Alabama bans the carrying of a rifle or a shotgun walking cane. Again, there may be location restrictions.

To be eligible for a pistol license, you must:

• Be a resident of Alabama
• Be at least 19 years old (Members of the military and National Guard may apply at age 18)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Have not been found by a court in a criminal case to be guilty but mentally ill; not guilty by reason of insanity; or not guilty due to mental disease or defect
• Have not been declared incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case
• Have not asserted a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity or mental disease or defect
• Have not been found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
• Have not required involuntary inpatient treatment or involuntary commitment in a psychiatric hospital or similar treatment facility
• Have not required involuntary outpatient treatment in a psychiatric hospital or similar treatment facility based on a finding of imminent danger to self or others
• Have not been the subject of a prosecution or commitment or incompetency proceeding that could lead to prohibition on firearm possession under state or federal law
• Have not falsified any portion of the permit application
• Have not otherwise caused justifiable concern for public safety

State law does not ban possession of machine guns. Federal law prohibits the possession of most machine guns made after May 19, 1986, outside of the military and law enforcement.

• Illegally carrying a concealed weapon is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
• Carrying a rifle or shotgun walking cane is a felony, punishable by two years in prison, a fine of $500-$1,000, or both.
• Improper transfer of a firearm or weapon is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
• Possession of illegal handgun ammunition during a felony crime is punishable by a consecutive sentence of three years in prison on top of the sentence for the underlying crime.
• Unlawful discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling, building, railroad car, aircraft, auto, truck, or watercraft is a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.
• Unlawful discharge of a firearm into an unoccupied dwelling, building, railroad car, aircraft, auto, truck, or watercraft is a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
• Possession of a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun in violation of federal law is a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
• Possession of a firearm where the manufacturer's identifying information has been altered is a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
• Illegal possession of a firearm is a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. If the reason for the prohibition is due to being underage, a habitual drunkard, or having a drug conviction, then the crime is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $6,000, or both.
• Making a false statement on a pistol permit application is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both.
• Delivering a pistol to a prohibited person is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $6,000, or both.

It is illegal to knowingly carry a firearm with intent to do harm in a public school or school bus used for grades K-12. Penalties for such violations can be a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Discharging a firearm in a school building or on a school bus that is occupied or on school grounds during school hours or activities is a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $30,000, or both. If the school building or bus is unoccupied, or the discharge occurs on school grounds outside school and activity hours, then the offense becomes a Class C felony.

• Justified in using physical force in self-defense or defense of others
• Not engaged in unlawful activity
• In a place where they have the right to be