Alabama became the latest state to adopt constitutional carry when Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 272 into law on March 10 2022. This new law went into effect on January 1, 2023 and allows anyone who is legally allowed to possess a firearm to carry it without a permit or license in most public places in Alabama.

Despite the controversy surrounding constitutional carry, Alabama is now one of the 28 states in the U.S. to adopt this policy. 

It is important to note that while the adoption of constitutional carry may change the way firearms are carried in Alabama, it does not change the underlying laws related to firearms. Individuals are still required to follow all federal and state laws related to firearms, such as background checks, age limits, and restrictions on certain types of firearms.

If you are purchasing a firearm from a private gun dealer or a gun show in the state, you will not have to complete a background check, neither will need to register the firearm. Only federally licensed individuals will complete all protocols before initiating the sales of firearms.

Possession of Firearms in Alabama

The adoption of constitutional carry means that individuals in Alabama no longer need to obtain a permit or license from their local law enforcement agency to carry a firearm. This includes both open and concealed carry of firearms. However, there are still some places where carrying a firearm is prohibited, like government buildings, schools, and airports.

If you are at least 19 years old, without any prohibition for the possession of firearms either federally or in any US state, you can open carry in Alabama. 

For those who want to conceal carry in other jurisdictions and state that require permits and recognize Alabama permits, the state of Alabama has kept its concealed carry permit system in place.

You can conceal carry a firearm in your private car or vehicle or possess firearms in roadside areas of Alabama as long as you have a permit. If you do permit-less carry, you can possess firearms in bars, and similar places for the consumption of alcohol, except if there is a post prohibiting firearms.

Alabama gun laws indicate that the possession of firearms in private buildings of properties is only possible with consent from the land owner. Also, it is unlawful to carry firearms in any building with a post prohibiting the possession of weapons.

Hotels and similar establishments have the right to come up with policies, so you need to contact the management to know if you can possess firearms within the premises.

Employers may allow the possession of firearms in private cars parked in a designated area if the owner is a concealed permit holder. However, the permit holder must lock the firearm away in a compartment or hidden part of the vehicle.

Places Where You Cannot Possess Firearms in Alabama

Alabama restricts the possession of firearms in the following parts of the state:

• You cannot carry firearms within school facilities, and this includes elementary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. The only exception to this is if the management of the school consents to the possession of a firearm.
• You cannot carry firearms within the premises of a children care building or a daycare center.
• You cannot carry firearms in buildings or facilities that are used by the state’s law enforcement agencies.
• You cannot carry firearms during elections or in any polling unit. The closest you are allowed to be with your firearm is twenty-five feet.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within the premises of a prison, jail or any other state correctional facility.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within the premises of a courthouse and this includes administrative offices, the courtroom, and libraries.
• You cannot carry firearms during a meeting of local government officials, or that of the committee of the general assembly.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within the premises of an organization that deals in the manufacturing of any alcoholic or intoxicating drink.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in certain areas of an airport that is under the control of inspection officers.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within a building or property that is either owned, rented, or leased by the state government, counties, or municipalities.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within a gambling house that is open to the general public.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in an enclosed park that has a gate.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in churches or worship areas without the permission of the authorities in charge. The exception to this is possessing a firearm within the parking area of a worship place.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within the premises of a privately owned building or property that has a post to prohibit possession of firearms.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms within a stadium or an arena with more than fifty thousand holding capacity.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in general hospitals and health centers.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in vehicles meant for public transportation.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms on metro trains.
• You are not allowed to carry firearms in areas that have been restricted by federal laws.

Application for Alabama Gun License

Application for the Alabama gun license is gotten from the office of the sheriff in your local county. This process varies from one county to another, some practice an inline application. After collecting or downloading the application form, complete it accordingly.

Submit the form to your local sheriff’s office after completing it. You will receive a mail notifying you of approval or denied application. Alabama concealed weapon permit is valid for five years, after which you have to renew.

Alabama charges twenty dollars per year on all new or renewal permits in the state. So, since the state issues a five years permit, the cost is one hundred dollars.

The renewal process includes the following, take your old license to the sheriff’s office. In some counties, you can send it by mail, while others make use of an online renewal system.

Take your old license to the sheriff’s office. In some counties, you can send it by mail, while others make use of an online renewal system. After about thirty days, you will get a notification on the application.

To change any information on your permit, contact the sheriff’s office of your local county. Also, as soon as you realize that your permit is missing or stolen, contact your local county sheriff to issue you a new permit.

Nonresidents must be permanent residents before applying for an Alabama concealed weapon permit. You cannot make use of the Alabama permit in any state, except there is a reciprocity agreement with such a state. Also, upon establishing residency in another state, your Alabama concealed carry permit becomes invalid.

Requirements to Apply for Alabama Gun Permit

You must meet all requirements to apply for Alabama Gun permit:

• You must be nineteen years old or more, except if you are a member of the military, in which case you must be at least eighteen.
• You must be a legal citizen of the United States of America.
• You must be a resident of Alabama or a member of the military posted to the state.
• You must complete a firearm training course.
• You must not be a convict for any crime with more than a year jail term punishment, or a misdemeanor crime with a jail term of at most two years and does not involve the use of a firearm or pistol permit.
• You must not be guilty of driving under the influence or the use of any illicit substance that is under the control of the Drug Enforcement Agency for five years before the permit application.
• You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
• You must not be an out-of-service member of the United States Armed Forces discharged due to dishonorable characters.
• You must not have a record of behavior that casts doubt on your ability to behave in a manner that considers you a threat to yourself or others.
• You must not be mentally unstable or a patient in a medical institution for five years before you apply for an Alabama permit application.
• You must not have a protection order from a judge that restricts you from possessing firearms.
• You must meet all other federal requirements for obtaining permits.

Is Constitutional Carry Allowed in Only Some Parts of Alabama?

Except for safety or the restriction of firearms in some parts of a political subdivision in the state, no local government area, municipality or county may create ordinances, regulations and rules to restrict the possession, licensing, transportation, purchase and sales of firearms, ammunition and their components.

This means that constitutional carry in Alabama is allowed in every part of the state.

Additional resources

• Alabama gun laws
• Alabama concealed carry laws
• Alabama open carry laws
• Alabama gun permit laws