Alabama Gun Laws

Sweet Home Alabama!

Like most southern states Alabama has some of the most “classically” liberal laws concerning concealed carry. Alabama is unique in that it allows the counties of the state to issue concealed carry permits.

Applications need to be made at your local Sheriff’s office where your residence resides, and you must be 19 years or older to qualify. Good news is there’s no firearm training requirement.

Now, it takes 30 days from your submission of the firearm application to either be denied or granted, but don’t sweat it because the application is easy and not very time consuming.

Alabama Gun Laws Quick Facts

Open Carry Permitted?	Yes – without a permit necessary. So long as you’re 18 years of age and federally legal to own a firearm, you can open carry within Alabama.
Carry In Vehicle?	Yes – however there’s a stipulation. To carry a loaded weapon you must have an APP (Alabama pistol permit). If you don’t have this permit your handgun must be unloaded and stored in a travel container away from reach for anyone in the vehicle. [Law: Ala. Code 13A-11-73(b)]
Carry In State Park?	Yes – with a Alabama Pistol Permit or CCW permit from reciprocal state.
Carry In Restaurants?	Yes – with a Alabama Pistol Permit or CCW permit from reciprocal state.
Constitutional Carry?	No – (however Alabama did pass HB 272 which will make it a constitutional carry state on Jan 1, 2023
No Weapon Sign Enforced?	No – there’s no clear indication of this in their code.
Must Notify Officer?	No – you are not required to inform an officer of carrying a firearm in your vehicle when pulled over.

Alabama CCW Reciprocity List

These States Honor Alabama’s CCW

These States Do NOT Honor Alabama’s CCW

Alabama Honors These States CCW Permits

Section 13A-11-85 makes the following statement:

“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.“

This means Alabama honors all other states concealed carry permit as valid in the state of Alabama, so long as you handle your firearm within the regulations of Alabama’s code.

The following states are honored within Alabama:

How Reciprocity Works In Alabama

Alabama has written into its law to permit all forms of conceal carry from other states. The law providing this information comes from section 13A-11-85 of the Alabama Code.

Any individual who has a permit to conceal carry in another U.S. state is legally allowed to carry a firearm in Alabama. During their time in Alabama, they will be subject to the laws of the county and state.

Reciprocity Agreements In Alabama

Alabama currently has reciprocity agreements with the following states:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida,Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming.

Alabama: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

State parks
State and national forests
Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state not listed as Off-Limits

Places Not Allowed

Public school grounds which are composed of K-12 grades
School bus used for K-12 grades
Demonstrations at public places
University of Alabama
Building of a highway patrol station, sheriff, or police
Inside any area hosting a professional athletic event not related to firearms which is sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school or any private or public institution of post secondary education.
Inside a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.
Inside a courthouse or courthouse annex
Prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility, or other detention facility for those who have been charged with or convicted of a criminal or juvenile offense.
Building in which a District Attorney’s office is located
Building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a meeting
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Alabama: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

Yes

Alabama allows permit-less open carry if the individual is 18 years or older and can legally posses a firearm.

Carry In Vehicle

Yes

You carry a handgun in a vehicle legally without a permit. However, the handgun must be locked in your glovebox AND unloaded. You can also carry the handgun in a container which is out of reach of the driver and secured to your vehicle. It’s important to note, to carry a loaded gun in you need an active permit.

Carry In State Parks

Yes

It is legal to carry in state parks so long as you have the appropriate approval from the manager of the state park and have notified them of your intent to conceal carry.

Here is the section of the code for this situation:

“It shall be unlawful for any person other than a duly authorized law enforcement officer to possess or carry into any State Park any form of firearm without written permission of the manager in charge of the State Park visited; provided, however, nothing in this regulation prohibits the possession of handguns by lawfully licensed persons for personal protection, provided, the handguns are not used for any unlawful purpose.“

Make sure to contact who the manager of the park is.

State Parks: YES – Admin Code 220.5.08 (only handguns)
State/National Forests: YES
State Wildlife Management Areas: YES – Admin Code 220.2 (only handguns)
Road Side Rest Areas: YES

The Law
Admin Code 220-5-.08

Carry In Restaurants

Yes

So long as you have a concealed carry permit from Alabama, you’re allowed to conceal carry a firearm in a restaurant, bar, or any establishment that serves alcohol.

I think it’s important to note that alcohol inhibits your ability to make good judgments. Be very careful carrying within an establishment that serves alcohol, not because you (the trusted reader) can’t handle your liquor, but because other people might not.

Constitutional Carry

Alabama is not a Constitutional Carry state yet. They passed into law HB 272 which will be enacted on January 1st, 2023. Once that happens we’ll change the law here.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

“No Weapons” signs are not mentioned in Alabama gun laws. We have not been able to find any further information so advise you to follow the recommendation below.

Must Notify Officer

There is nothing in Alabama gun laws that state you must inform a law enforcement officer you have a firearm when approached on official business.

The law does state that you need to carry your permit when carrying a concealed pistol on your person or carrying a pistol in a vehicle “…no person shall carry a pistol in any vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person without a permit…”

The Law
13A-11-73 – Alabama Code

Other Alabama Gun Laws In Detail

Alabama Gun Laws
Alabama Concealed Carry Laws
Alabama Open Carry Laws
Alabama Gun Permit Laws
Alabama Hunting Laws