Alabama Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

Yes. Since January 1, 2023, Alabama no longer requires a permit to carry a pistol concealed on the person or in a vehicle: Act 2022-133 repealed the permit requirement in § 13A-11-73. ALEA says the law 'eliminates the requirement for Alabama citizens to obtain a permit to carry a concealed pistol' and applies only within Alabama. People barred from having a firearm cannot carry: anyone convicted of a felony within the previous five years, anyone with three or more felony convictions, anyone convicted of a crime of violence, a misdemeanor offense of domestic violence or a listed violent offense, anyone subject to a valid domestic-abuse protection order, anyone of unsound mind, and certain non-citizens (§ 13A-11-72(a), (c)). A minor, an habitual drunkard or a person with a drug addiction may not own or possess a pistol (§ 13A-11-72(b)). Without a permit, a person may not carry a pistol on private property that is not his or her own or under his or her control unless the owner or legal possessor consents (§ 13A-11-52).

Alabama still issues an optional concealed carry permit (also called a pistol permit). It is shall-issue in form: the county sheriff 'shall approve' an application once the applicant is found not prohibited and not otherwise disqualified, and must approve or deny within 30 days. Issued by the sheriff of the applicant's county of residence to Alabama residents 19 years of age or more (18 or more for service members and retired or honorably discharged veterans). The sheriff runs a NICS check and reviews the state firearms prohibited person database, and must deny if listed factors apply, including when the applicant 'caused or causes justifiable concern for public safety' (the reason must be explained in writing; denials can be appealed). The statute lists no training requirement. Terms: one year, five years, or lifetime. Fee: as set by local law for the county; if there is no local law, $25 for one year and $125 for five years; lifetime permit $300; no fee for service members, retired or honorably discharged veterans, and current or honorably retired law enforcement officers. Lifetime permit holders are re-checked at least once every five years.

Alabama has no state law that requires a permit to carry a pistol openly. Open carry is subject to the same rules as other carry: prohibited persons may not possess firearms (§ 13A-11-72); without a permit a person may not carry a pistol on another person's private property without the owner's or legal possessor's consent (§ 13A-11-52); and the places listed in § 13A-11-61.2 (police stations, jails, courthouses, etc.) apply to everyone. ALEA calls Act 2022-133 the 'Open Carry or Permit-less Carry' act.

Alabama law bars selling, giving or lending a pistol to any minor (fine of $50 to $500) and delivering a pistol to anyone the transferor has reasonable cause to believe is a minor; a minor may not own or possess a pistol (Class A misdemeanor). These rules cover all transfers, including private ones. The firearm statutes do not define 'minor'; Alabama's general age of majority is 19. No separate state minimum age for long guns was found.

Alabama has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) firearm sales. Retail dealers who sell pistols must hold a local pistol dealer license (§§ 13A-11-78, 13A-11-79); the former section regulating pistol sales and purchase applications (§ 13A-11-77) was repealed effective August 1, 2000. Knowingly giving a licensed dealer or private seller materially false information about whether a transfer is legal is a Class C felony (§ 13A-11-58.1).

Alabama has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm.

Alabama has no state law that provides for extreme risk protection orders (red flag orders). The closest provision lets a law enforcement officer, during an investigation, temporarily take a firearm into custody on reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct or when needed for protection; it must be returned before the person is released from the scene if the person is not an immediate threat and is not arrested.

Alabama has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. State law reserves to the Legislature 'complete control over regulation and policy pertaining to firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories' (local rules are preempted). Since 2025, possessing, obtaining, receiving, selling or using a part designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun is a Class C felony, unless it is registered under federal law.

No permit is needed to have a pistol in a vehicle, loaded or concealed, since Act 2022-133 repealed § 13A-11-73 (which had required a permit to carry a pistol in a vehicle) effective January 1, 2023. Prohibited persons may not possess firearms anywhere. Employers may not bar an employee from keeping a lawfully possessed pistol in a privately owned vehicle in a parking area if the pistol is kept from ordinary observation while the employee is in the vehicle, and kept from ordinary observation and locked in a compartment, container or the vehicle's interior when the vehicle is unattended. At a § 13A-11-61.2 location (for example a police station, courthouse or secured building), a firearm on the premises must be kept from ordinary observation and locked in the vehicle.

Alabama honors permits from all states: 'A person licensed to carry a handgun in any state shall be authorized to carry a handgun in this state,' as long as the license holder is not an Alabama resident, and the holder must follow Alabama law. ALEA: 'Alabama will recognize any valid out of state permit.' The Attorney General may make reciprocal agreements and publishes a list of states that recognize Alabama permits.

Without the express permission of the person or entity in charge, no one (including permit holders) may knowingly carry a firearm inside a police, sheriff or highway patrol station; in or on the premises of a prison, jail, halfway house or other detention facility; inside an inpatient psychiatric facility; inside a courthouse, courthouse annex, a building with a district attorney's office, a building where a county commission or city council is meeting, or the primary office of an elected official; inside a building with guards plus security screening (such as magnetometers); and, unless the person has a permit, inside a facility hosting a school or college athletic event or a professional athletic event. Violations are Class C misdemeanors, and notices must be posted at public entrances. Carrying a deadly weapon on school premises with intent to do bodily harm is a Class C felony. Without a permit, a pistol may not be carried on another person's private property without consent. Employers may ban carry on their property (except storage in vehicles as allowed by § 13A-11-90).

Alabama has no state law that specifically regulates unserialized or homemade firearms or firearm kits. Changing, removing or obliterating a firearm's maker, model or manufacturer's number, or possessing, receiving or selling a firearm whose identification has been altered, is a Class C felony.