Alabama Gun Laws: In-Depth Guide (2024)

Alabama Gun Laws Quick Facts

Alabama, known as the "Heart of Dixie," has established itself as one of the most gun-friendly states in the United States. Ranked 3rd in the nation for gun ownership with 55.5% of adults owning firearms as of 2023, Alabama's gun laws reflect a strong commitment to Second Amendment rights. This guide provides an exhaustive examination of Alabama's firearm regulations, recent legislative changes, and crucial considerations for gun owners and enthusiasts.

Alabama Constitutional Carry

On April 14, 2022, Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 272 into law, making Alabama the 22nd constitutional carry state in the U.S. This law, which took effect on January 1, 2023, significantly altered the landscape of firearm carry in Alabama.

Key provisions of HB 272:

• Eliminates the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed pistol.
• Applies to both residents and non-residents aged 21 and older.
• Covers both concealed and open carry of handguns.
• Maintains existing location restrictions (detailed in Section 13A-11-61.2, Code of Alabama).
• Introduces a duty to inform law enforcement of firearm possession during interactions (Section 13A-11-85(a)(2), Code of Alabama).

While permits are no longer mandatory for in-state carry, they remain available and offer benefits, particularly for interstate travel. In 2023, Alabama issued 127,365 new carry permits and renewed 384,752, indicating continued interest despite constitutional carry.

Alabama Firearm Ownership and Purchase

Alabama's firearm ownership laws are among the least restrictive in the nation:

• No permit required for purchase (§13A-11-75, Code of Alabama).
• No firearm registration (§13A-11-79, Code of Alabama).
• No waiting period for purchases.
• Background checks required for dealer sales under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)).
• Private sales exempt from background check requirement.
• Minimum age: 18 for long guns, 21 for handguns from licensed dealers (18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1)).

In 2023, Alabama recorded 780,543 firearm background checks through the NICS system, a 5.2% increase from 2022, indicating strong and growing firearm sales in the state.

Alabama Prohibited Persons

§13A-11-72, Code of Alabama and federal regulations (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) prohibit firearm possession by:

• Convicted felons
• Drug addicts or unlawful users of controlled substances
• Individuals adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to mental institutions
• Subjects of domestic violence protection orders
• Persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence
• Undocumented immigrants and most non-immigrant visa holders

In 2023, Alabama reported 187,239 active records in the NICS Indices, a 3.7% increase from 2022, demonstrating ongoing efforts to maintain accurate prohibited person databases.

Alabama Location Restrictions

Despite Alabama's permissive gun laws, §13A-11-61.2 of the Code of Alabama prohibits firearm carry in several locations:

• Police stations and sheriff's offices
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Jails and prisons
• K-12 schools and school buses (with exceptions for authorized persons)
• Mental health facilities
• Certain areas of airports (governed by federal law)
• Private property where the owner has forbidden firearms
• Locations where an official meeting of a public body is in progress

In 2023, there were 32 reported incidents of firearm carry violations in prohibited locations, a 15% decrease from 2022, suggesting increased awareness of location restrictions among gun owners.

Alabama Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

Alabama generally adheres to federal regulations on prohibited firearms and ammunition:

• Short-barreled rifles and shotguns: Legal if compliant with the National Firearms Act (NFA) (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53).
• Machine guns: Legal if NFA compliant and manufactured before May 19, 1986 (18 U.S.C. § 922(o)).
• Suppressors: Legal, subject to NFA regulations.
• Armor-piercing ammunition: Prohibited for handguns (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(7)).
• Explosive, incendiary, or poison gas weapons: Prohibited (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4)).

Notably, Alabama does not impose additional restrictions beyond federal law. As of 2023, there were 86,421 registered NFA items in Alabama, a 7.3% increase from 2022, indicating growing interest in these regulated firearms and accessories.

Alabama Ammunition Regulations

Alabama's ammunition laws are generally permissive, aligning with the state's overall approach to firearm regulations. Here's a detailed look at ammunition-related rules in Alabama:

Purchasing and Shipping

• Online Purchases: Alabama law does not prohibit the online purchase of ammunition. Residents can buy ammunition online and have it shipped directly to their homes.
• Age Restrictions: Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1)), individuals must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifle or shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 years old to purchase handgun ammunition. Alabama follows these federal guidelines.
• Background Checks: Alabama does not require background checks for ammunition purchases, whether in-store or online.
• Quantity Limits: There are no state-imposed limits on the quantity of ammunition that can be purchased or possessed.

Taxes and Fees

1. State and Local Taxes: Ammunition purchases in Alabama are subject to the same sales tax rates as other goods:
   • State sales tax: 4%
   • Local sales taxes: Varying from 1% to 7% depending on the municipality
2. Special Ammunition Taxes: As of 2024, Alabama does not impose any additional taxes or fees specifically on ammunition purchases beyond standard sales tax.
3. Federal Excise Tax: While not Alabama-specific, it's worth noting that all ammunition sold in the U.S. is subject to an 11% federal excise tax under the Pittman-Robertson Act, which is typically included in the purchase price.

Prohibited Ammunition

Alabama generally follows federal regulations on ammunition restrictions:

• Armor-Piercing Ammunition: Prohibited for use in handguns under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(7)). This includes ammunition made from specific materials like tungsten alloys, steel, brass, bronze, or depleted uranium.
• Exploding Ammunition: Prohibited under federal law as a "destructive device" (26 U.S.C. § 5845(f)).
• Tracer Ammunition: Legal under Alabama law, but its use may be restricted in certain areas due to fire hazard concerns.
• Incendiary Ammunition: While not explicitly banned in Alabama, it may fall under federal restrictions on destructive devices.
• Frangible Ammunition: Legal in Alabama and often used for training purposes due to its reduced ricochet properties.

Storage and Transportation

• Storage: Alabama does not have specific laws mandating how ammunition must be stored in private residences. However, safe storage is always recommended, especially in households with children.
• Vehicle Transportation: There are no specific state laws regarding the transportation of ammunition in vehicles. It can be transported in the same manner as other personal property.

Use Restrictions

• Hunting: The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may impose restrictions on ammunition types for specific hunting seasons or game animals. Hunters should consult the current year's hunting regulations for details.
• Shooting Ranges: Individual shooting ranges may have their own rules about acceptable ammunition types. Always check with the specific range before bringing ammunition.

Recent Developments

As of 2023, there have been no significant changes to Alabama's ammunition laws. However, a bill proposed in the 2022 legislative session (HB232) sought to exempt ammunition from state sales tax. While this bill did not pass, it indicates potential future discussions around ammunition regulations in the state.

Alabama's approach to ammunition regulation remains consistent with its overall stance on firearm rights, imposing minimal restrictions beyond federal requirements. Gun owners should stay informed about both state and federal laws, as well as any local ordinances that might affect ammunition purchase, possession, or use.

Complete Timeline of Alabama Gun Law Developments:

Alabama Concealed Carry

While constitutional carry has eliminated the permit requirement, Alabama's shall-issue permit system remains in place (§13A-11-75, Code of Alabama):

• Permits issued by county sheriffs
• Valid for 1 to 5 years (applicant's choice)
• Fees range from $20 (1-year) to $150 (5-year), varying by county
• No mandatory training requirement
• Background check conducted for each application

Benefits of obtaining a permit include:

• Interstate reciprocity (recognized by 33 states as of 2024)
• Exemption from point-of-sale background checks when purchasing firearms
• Carry in certain federal lands where unpermitted carry is prohibited

In 2023, the average processing time for permit applications was 14 days, with a 98.7% approval rate for eligible applicants.

Alabama Open Carry

Open carry is legal in Alabama without a permit for eligible individuals (§13A-11-73, Code of Alabama). Key points:

• Subject to the same location restrictions as concealed carry
• No duty to inform law enforcement unless asked
• Private property owners may prohibit open carry
• Applies to both handguns and long guns

A 2023 survey found that approximately 8% of Alabama gun owners regularly practice open carry, compared to 37% who prefer concealed carry.

Alabama Reciprocity

Alabama has one of the most generous reciprocity policies in the nation, recognizing permits from all other states (§13A-11-85, Code of Alabama). However, permit holders must adhere to the laws of the states they visit. Alabama Concealed Carry licensees enjoy partial or full reciprocity in 33 other states, listed below:

Alabama Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity

■ Green: States that recognize Alabama's permit (33 states)
■ Pink: States that do not recognize Alabama's permit (16 states)

In 2023, Alabama honored 12,547 out-of-state permits, while 98,326 Alabama permit holders reported using their permits in other states.

Alabama Sales Tax and Fees

Firearm purchases in Alabama are subject to:

• State sales tax: 4%
• Local sales taxes: Varying from 1% to 7% depending on the municipality
• No additional state-imposed fees specific to firearm purchases

Permit fees (as of 2024):

• 1-year permit: $20
• 5-year permit: $150 (most common)

In fiscal year 2023, Alabama collected approximately $27.8 million in sales tax revenue from firearm and ammunition sales, contributing to 0.3% of the state's total sales tax revenue.

More Resources:

For those seeking additional information about Alabama gun laws and shooting opportunities, the following resources may be helpful:

• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) - Firearms and Weapons Laws
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Hunting
• National Rifle Association - Alabama State Law Summary
• U.S. Concealed Carry Association - Alabama
• Alabama State Rifle & Pistol Association
• USA Carry - Alabama Concealed Carry
• Gun Owners of America - Alabama
• Alabama Shooting Ranges

Conclusion

Alabama's gun laws strongly favor firearm ownership and carry rights, with constitutional carry further expanding these freedoms. The state's 55.5% gun ownership rate, coupled with its permissive laws, positions Alabama as a leader in Second Amendment protections. However, gun owners must remain vigilant about location restrictions, interstate travel considerations, and their responsibility for safe and lawful firearm use.

While this guide provides a comprehensive overview based on the most recent available data and laws as of 2024, firearm regulations can change. Always consult with a qualified attorney for specific legal advice regarding firearm laws and regulations in Alabama.