“That every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself and that state.”
AT A GLANCE
Alabama is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons permits issued at the county level by the local sheriff’s office. There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual. Open carry is legal in Alabama without a permit for any person at least 18 years old. Concealed carry is legal for residents with an Alabama Pistol Permit and for non-residents with a permit from a state that Alabama honors. Alabama is a Castle Doctrine state. You do not have a duty to retreat and are allowed to stand your ground. A person who uses deadly physical force is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action, unless the force was determined to be unlawful.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute, Alabama has a clear reciprocity provision recognizing out-of-state licensees:
“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. A license holder from another state shall carry the handgun in compliance with the laws of this state.”
Alabama now has a reciprocity agreement with all states. In order for this to occur, the Alabama AG requires both states’ licensing laws must be substantially similar.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
Alabama law does not specifically state that you have to present your Permit/License to a LEO immediately upon contact. It does say a Permit is required if you carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on your person. You would have to present it to an officer if they knew you had a pistol in your vehicle or concealed on your person as a Permit/License is required to carry in those instances. If you did not have a Permit/License you would be in violation of 13A-11-73. It is recommended You always carry your Permit/License.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
It is a crime to carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a license. An individual may carry a pistol without a permit on their land or business property owned by the individual. 13A-11-73(a). An individual may not carry a pistol on his person on a premises that is not his own and/or is merely under his control without a license.
Except as otherwise prohibited by law, a person legally permitted to possess a pistol, but who does not possess a valid concealed weapon permit, may possess an unloaded pistol in his or her motor vehicle if the pistol is locked in a compartment or container that is in or affixed securely to the vehicle and out of reach of the driver and any passenger in the vehicle.
NFA Items
Alabama permits ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law. Hunting with suppressors is legal.
Self-Defense Laws
Alabama has both Castle Doctrine and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat when attacked in any place You have a legal right to be, and You may use deadly force in self-defense if You reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or SBI, to prevent kidnapping, robbery, burglary, or forcible rape, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into Your dwelling, residence, or occupied motor vehicle.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
Alabama currently has no laws prohibiting individuals who are otherwise lawfully allowed to carry a firearm from doing so in restaurants that serve alcohol.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal in Alaska. Individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm may open carry without a permit/license. The minimum age for open carry is 21.
Possession At Work
An employer may restrict or prohibit an employee’s ability to carry a firearm while on the employer’s property or while engaged in the normal duties of the employee’s employment. [13A-11-90(a)]. An employer may not restrict the storage or transportation of a lawfully possessed pistol or ammunition in a privately-owned vehicle parked on public or private land, subject to certain restrictions: having a valid concealed weapon permit and the gun is out of sight. [13A-11-90(b)]. 40-12-134(b). The handgun must be unloaded, locked in container stored in the vehicle and out of reach of any occupants. An employer who believes an employee is a danger to themselves or others may ask if the employee has a firearm in their vehicle, and if so, may further inquire to make sure the firearm is being stored in accordance with the provisions above.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
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