Alabama Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Alabama have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Alabama does not ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal law via NICS applies to dealer sales. |
| Is Alabama a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Alabama has both Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws. |
| What kind of restrictions does Alabama have? |
|
| Does Alabama have any gun storage laws? | 🚫 No. There is no state‑mandated safe‑storage requirement. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Alabama? | ✅ Yes. No state limit on quantity purchased. |
| Does Alabama have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. There is no extreme risk protection order law. |
| Age to purchase firearms? | ℹ️ Rifles/Shotguns: 18+ |
| Do I have to register my guns in Alabama? | 🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. No permit required to buy. |
| Does Alabama have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. There is no waiting period under state law. |
🚫 No. Alabama does not ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.
🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks.
✅ Yes. Federal law via NICS applies to dealer sales.
✅ Yes. Alabama has both Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws.
- ℹ️ Open carry allowed (≥19 years old)
- ℹ️ Concealed carry permit no longer required (constitutional carry effective Jan 2023)
- ℹ️ Certain places are off-limits (schools, courthouses, etc.)
🚫 No. There is no state‑mandated safe‑storage requirement.
✅ Yes. No state limit on quantity purchased.
🚫 No. There is no extreme risk protection order law.
ℹ️ Rifles/Shotguns: 18+
ℹ️ Handguns: 21+ (18+ for military with permit)
🚫 No. Firearm registration is not required.
🚫 No. No permit required to buy.
🚫 No. There is no waiting period under state law.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Alabama allow Open Carry? | ✅ Permitless carry legal for residents 19+ (18+ with military exemption); open carry allowed with holster |
| Does Alabama allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Permitless as of Jan 1, 2023 (19+; 18+ military); permits still issued for reciprocity purposes |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray legal; stun devices regulated under law |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public spaces; obey private property owner's wishes (trespass applies) |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, polling places, secure facilities |
| States honored? | ✅ Alabama honors any valid out‑of‑state permit for non‑residents in‑state travel. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Alabama's permit is recognized in these states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Sheriff of their county of residence |
✅ Permitless carry legal for residents 19+ (18+ with military exemption); open carry allowed with holster
✅ Permitless as of Jan 1, 2023 (19+; 18+ military); permits still issued for reciprocity purposes
✅ Pepper spray legal; stun devices regulated under law
✅ Most public spaces; obey private property owner's wishes (trespass applies)
🚫 Schools, courthouses, polling places, secure facilities
✅ Alabama honors any valid out‑of‑state permit for non‑residents in‑state travel.
✅ Alabama's permit is recognized in these states:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered.
🚫 No. Only handguns.
ℹ️ Sheriff of their county of residence
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Legal & State Firearm Info | |
| Training & Safety |
Alabama Leadership
- Born: October 15, 1944 (Camden, Alabama)
- Term Started: April 10, 2017
- Previous Role: Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
- Committees:
- Agriculture
- Nutrition
- and Forestry
- Armed Services
- Environment and Public Works
- Born: February 2, 1982 (Enterprise, Alabama)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2023
- Committees:
- Committee on Appropriations
- Banking Housing and Urban Affairs
- Rules and Administration
- Judiciary
- Born: September 18, 1954 (Camden, Arkansas)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2021
- Previous Role: Head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008
- Committees:
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry
- Armed Services
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Veterans' Affairs