Gun laws in Alabama

Gun laws in Alabama regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Alabama in the United States.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Subject/Law	Long Guns	Handguns	Notes
Permit to purchase required?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Carry permits issued?	No	Yes	Alabama is a shall issue state for concealed carry.
Open carry permitted?	Yes	Yes*	Open carry is generally permitted. However, open carry in a vehicle without a concealed carry license is prohibited. As of August 1, 2013, the law states that: "It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the mere carrying of a visible pistol, holstered or secured, in public place, in and of itself, is not disorderly conduct."
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	"The entire matter of handguns is reserved to the state legislature."
Assault weapon law?	No	No
NFA weapons restricted?	No*	No	*AOW's disguised as walking canes are the only illegal firearms in Alabama.

Location of Alabama in the United States

The Constitution of Alabama provides that every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and the State. The State preempts local regulation of firearms. The firearm preemption statute reads "The purpose of this section is to establish within the Legislature complete control over regulation and policy pertaining to firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories in order to ensure that such regulation and policy is applied uniformly throughout this state to each person subject to the state's jurisdiction and to ensure protection of the right to keep and bear arms recognized by the Constitutions of the State of Alabama and the United States." Localities may regulate the discharge of firearms and levy taxes.^[1]^[2] On April 21, 2010, Gov. Bob Riley signed House Bill 2 into law as Act 2010-496 amending Ala. §13A-11-63, to allow civilian ownership of short-barrel rifles and short-barrel shotguns, as allowed by federal law.^[4] The only firearms known to be prohibited are those disguised as walking canes.

Licensed dealers are required to process background checks through the FBI prior to completing a sale. Licensed dealers must keep a record of every handgun sold, including the purchaser's signature and particular information about the firearm being sold. Private sales of handguns and long guns are legal and no background check is required; however, it is unlawful to sell a firearm to a prohibited person.^[1]^[2]

Firearms are prohibited from certain places, including demonstrations. Firearms are prohibited on the premises of public schools only by persons with intent to do bodily harm. Open carry on foot is generally allowed without a license, withstanding other applicable laws. Carrying a handgun in a vehicle, whether open or concealed, requires a license. Carrying a handgun on premises that are not owned or under the control of the possessor is prohibited unless the person has a valid concealed handgun license.^[1]^[2]

Alabama shall issue a license, unlimited, to applicants who are residents of the county in which they apply, who do not have any disqualifying criminal convictions, who are suitable persons. All Alabama county sheriffs, as of 2013, issue licenses to all "suitable persons."^[5] The law requires applicants to be residents, so they do not issue licenses to non-residents. The license is valid to carry a handgun in a vehicle or concealed on or about one's person within the State. Licenses are valid for up to five years at a time.^[1]^[2] Alabama honors licenses issued by any state that also honors Alabama's licenses, provided that the license holder is not a resident of Alabama.^[6]

References

Gun laws in the United States by state