Alabama allows concealed carry without a permit under 'constitutional carry' (effective January 1, 2023). Anyone 19 or older who can legally possess a firearm can carry concealed in most public places. Optional Concealed Carry Permits (CCPs) are available from county sheriffs, offering benefits like out-of-state reciprocity.
CCP requirements: Age 19+ (18 for active military or honorably discharged veterans) - Pass a background check which ensures the applicant is not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm
Concealed carry is banned in certain locations, including: - Police stations - Courthouses - Jails - Mental health facilities - Buildings with continuous security measures
Private property owners can ban firearms. While signs aren't legally enforced, trespassing laws apply if asked to leave.
CCP Details: Costs: Up to $25 per year - Validity: 1-5 years, or lifetime (varies by county)
Processing Time: Sheriff must approve or deny within 30 days - Renewal: Similar to initial application, lifetime options available
Reciprocity: Alabama recognizes other states' permits. Alabama CCPs accepted in 32 states
Alabama allows open carry without a permit under Ala. Code § 13A-11-52. Anyone 19 or older who can legally possess a firearm can openly carry a handgun in most public places without a license. Open carry is banned in certain places like courthouses, schools, and mental health facilities (Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.2). Private property owners can prohibit open carry with proper signage (Ala. Code § 13A-11-52). Long guns, like rifles and shotguns, can be openly carried without a permit, but displaying any firearm in a threatening manner is illegal. Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail.
Alabama has minimal restrictions on firearm types compared to many states. There are no state laws banning assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, silencers, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, or machine guns, as long as they comply with federal law (e.g., National Firearms Act for machine guns and silencers). Ghost guns (firearms without serial numbers) are legal, and there's no requirement to serialize them. However, certain people can't possess firearms, like felons or those with domestic violence convictions (Ala. Code § 13A-11-72). Firearms are banned in specific places like courthouses and schools (Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.2). Violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony charges, with penalties up to 1 year in jail or 3 years in prison.
Costs: There are no state fees for owning restricted firearms since Alabama doesn't ban them, but federal fees apply for items like silencers ($200 tax stamp).
Processing Time: Federal background checks for restricted items (e.g., silencers) can take 6-12 months through the ATF.
Interstate travel with firearms through or into Alabama is allowed under federal law, but you must follow state rules. The federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), under 18 U.S.C. § 926A, lets you transport firearms across state lines if you can legally possess them in your starting and destination states. The firearm must be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor its ammo can be easily reached from the passenger area—store them in a trunk or locked container (not the glove box). Alabama law allows you to carry a handgun in your vehicle without a permit if you're 19 or older and can legally possess a firearm (Ala. Code § 13A-11-73). Long guns can be transported without a locked container. Firearms are banned in certain places like courthouses and schools (Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.2). Alabama allows permitless carry, so you don't need a license to carry while traveling here if you're 19 or older and can legally possess a firearm.
Purchasing a firearm in Alabama is straightforward with few state restrictions. You must be 21 to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer (federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922), but only 19 for rifles or shotguns (Ala. Code § 13A-11-76). No permit, background check, or waiting period is required for private sales. For dealer purchases, you'll need a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), but there's no state waiting period (18 U.S.C. § 922). There's no limit on the number of firearms you can buy at once, and no state requirement for a safety certificate. Assault weapons, silencers, and large-capacity magazines can be purchased, subject to federal laws (e.g., NFA for silencers). Certain people, like felons, can't buy firearms (Ala. Code § 13A-11-72).
Costs: There are no state fees for purchasing, but dealers may charge a $10-$25 fee for the NICS background check. Total fees are typically $10-$25 per transaction.
Processing Time: NICS background checks are usually instant but can take up to 3 days if there's a delay.
Alabama does not require firearm registration for most guns. There's no state law mandating registration when you buy a firearm, move to Alabama, or own a ghost gun (Ala. Code § 13A-11-70). Federal law requires registration for certain items like machine guns and silencers through the ATF (National Firearms Act). Alabama doesn't require reporting lost or stolen firearms. There are no penalties for failing to register since registration isn't required.
Alabama has minimal firearm storage laws. There's no state requirement to store firearms unloaded or in a locked container (Ala. Code § 13A-11-70). However, it's illegal to leave a firearm where a child under 14 can access it if the child uses it to cause injury or death, known as negligent storage of a firearm (Ala. Code § 13A-11-85). Penalties can be a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or a felony (up to 3 years in prison) if serious harm occurs. There's no requirement to report lost or stolen firearms, and dealers aren't required to provide locking devices with purchases.
Alabama follows a strong Castle Doctrine under Ala. Code § 13A-3-23, allowing you to use deadly force to protect yourself in your home, vehicle, or workplace. If someone unlawfully enters or attempts to enter these places, and you reasonably believe they're a threat to cause death or serious injury, you can use deadly force, like shooting them. Alabama is also a 'stand your ground' state, meaning you don't have to retreat anywhere you're legally present (Ala. Code § 13A-3-23). This applies to your property and public places. However, the force must be proportionate, and using excessive force after the threat ends can lead to charges like manslaughter or murder.