Omar Bennett
Alabama's constitutional carry law, also known as HB272, went into effect on January 1, 2023. The law allows Alabamians to carry a concealed firearm in public without a permit, background check, or safety training. This legislation was signed into law by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in March 2022 and sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it would endanger public safety and put law enforcement officers at greater risk. However, supporters of the bill claimed that it reaffirms the state's commitment to defending the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the law | Constitutional carry law |
| Date of coming into effect | January 1, 2023 |
| What it allows | Carrying a gun in public without a permit |
| Who can carry a gun | Anyone 19-years of age or older (18-years-old for active, retired or honorably discharged veterans or law enforcement officers) |
| Who can get a pistol permit for free | Active service members, honorably discharged or retired service members, law enforcement officers or retired law enforcement officers |
| Who can apply for a pistol permit | Alabama residents 18 years of age or older |
| Who can qualify for a lifetime permit at no charge | Retired or honorably discharged military veterans |
| Who can get a lifetime carry permit at a charge of $300 | People age 19-59 |
| Where can one carry a gun | Not on private property without the consent of the property owner or the legal possessor of that property |
| Where can one carry a gun | Not inside of a police, sheriff or highway patrol station |
| Where can one carry a gun | Not inside or on the premises of a prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility or other detention facility |
| Where can one carry a gun | Not inside any facility that provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders |
| Where can one carry a gun | Not inside a courthouse, courthouse annex, a building in which a district attorney’s office is located, or a building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a meeting |
| What is allowed | An employee can keep a firearm locked and concealed in their vehicle in the parking lot of the place of business |
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What You'll Learn
- Alabama's constitutional carry law went into effect on January 1, 2023
- The law removes the requirement for a permit, background check, or safety training to carry a concealed handgun
- The bill, HB 272, was signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in March 2022
- The law was criticised by Democratic policymakers and law enforcement over concerns for public safety
- Alabama has maintained its concealed carry permit system for individuals who wish to carry in states requiring a permit
Alabama's constitutional carry law went into effect on January 1, 2023
Prior to the enactment of this law, Alabama required individuals to obtain a permit from their Sheriff's office to carry a concealed weapon. The permit was free for active-duty military personnel, honorably discharged or retired service members, law enforcement officers, and retired law enforcement officers. Now, anyone 18 years of age or older (19 years or older for civilians) who is not prohibited by state or federal law may carry a handgun in Alabama without a permit, background check, or safety training.
It is important to note that there are still restrictions on where firearms can be carried. For example, individuals cannot carry a concealed weapon on private property without the consent of the property owner. Additionally, while employees and customers may be allowed to keep a firearm locked and concealed in their vehicles in the parking lot of a place of business, employers can restrict employees from carrying firearms in the workplace if they believe the employee is a danger to themselves or others.
Furthermore, Alabama has maintained its concealed carry permit system for individuals who wish to carry firearms in states that require permits and offer reciprocity to Alabama permits. This means that Alabama residents must still obtain an Alabama Pistol Permit if they intend to carry a concealed firearm across state lines.
The enactment of Alabama's constitutional carry law highlights the ongoing debate between gun rights advocates, who argue for the removal of permit requirements, and those who prioritize public safety and stricter gun control measures.
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The law removes the requirement for a permit, background check, or safety training to carry a concealed handgun
Alabama's new "constitutional carry" law, also known as HB 272, went into effect on January 1, 2023. The law removes the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun. This means that anyone aged 18 or older (or 19, according to some sources), who is not prohibited by state or federal law, can carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit. Alabama residents who are retired or honorably discharged military veterans and are not prohibited from carrying under state or federal law qualify for a free lifetime permit.
The passage of the bill was not without controversy. Many gun-rights advocates argued that people should not need a permit to carry a concealed pistol, while opponents, including some local law enforcement, argued that permits help fight crime and enhance public safety. For example, Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge tweeted that "Alabama law enforcement lost another tool in the toolbox to get illegal guns off our streets. Continuing to make officers' jobs harder."
Despite the criticism, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey defended the law, stating that "Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights. I have always stood up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners, and I am proud to do that again today."
It is important to note that even with this new law in place, there are still some restrictions on where individuals can carry concealed weapons. For example, individuals cannot carry a concealed weapon on private property without the consent of the property owner, and there are also restrictions on carrying firearms into certain types of buildings, such as police stations, prisons, and courthouses. Additionally, any public or private business can still request that firearms not be allowed on their premises.
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The bill, HB 272, was signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in March 2022
Alabama's constitutional carry bill, HB 272, was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in March 2022. The bill removes the requirement for a state permit to carry a concealed pistol in public. This means that, as of January 1, 2023, anyone over the age of 18 (or 19 for civilians) who is not prohibited by state or federal law can carry a handgun in the state without a permit, background check, or safety training. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Shane Stringer, a former police captain with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
The passage of the bill was not without controversy. Gun-rights advocates argued that people should not need a permit to carry a concealed pistol, while opponents, including law enforcement, argued that permits help fight crime and enhance public safety. Some Democratic policymakers criticized the legislation as dangerous for public safety. Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge expressed concern that the bill would make it harder for law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets.
However, supporters of the bill, including Governor Ivey, defended it as a reaffirmation of Alabama's commitment to defending Second Amendment rights. They argued that the bill stands up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Along with the bill, a new statewide database was created to determine whether an individual has been prohibited from owning or carrying a firearm. This database can be searched by law enforcement to confiscate weapons from those who are prohibited from owning them.
The new law also allows individuals to carry a loaded firearm in their vehicle without a permit, as long as it is not stored in a compartment or portable safe. Additionally, it stipulates that employees and customers may be allowed to keep a firearm locked and concealed in their vehicles in the parking lot of a place of business, as long as certain conditions are met.
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The law was criticised by Democratic policymakers and law enforcement over concerns for public safety
Alabama's constitutional carry bill, also known as House Bill 272, was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on March 10, 2022, and went into effect on January 1, 2023. The law eliminates the requirement for a state permit to carry a concealed pistol in public.
The law was criticised by Democratic policymakers and law enforcement officials over concerns for public safety. Opponents of the bill, including some local law enforcement officers, argued that permits help fight crime and improve public safety. They contended that removing the permit requirement would make it more challenging to keep illegal guns off the streets and endanger officers.
For instance, shortly after Ivey signed the bill, Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge took to Twitter to express his frustration, stating, "Alabama law enforcement lost another tool in the toolbox to get illegal guns off our streets. Continuing to make officers' jobs harder. Five of the six officers killed in the line of duty in Alabama in 2019 were killed with a stolen firearm."
The law has also faced criticism for removing the requirement for safety training to carry a concealed weapon. This has raised concerns among some that individuals carrying firearms may not have adequate training in firearms safety, potentially posing a risk to themselves and others.
Despite the criticisms, Governor Ivey defended the bill, stating that Alabama is "reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights." She added that she has "always stood up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners" and is "proud to do that again today."
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Alabama has maintained its concealed carry permit system for individuals who wish to carry in states requiring a permit
Alabama's "constitutional carry" act, also known as HB 272, was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on March 11, 2022. The law removes the requirement for a state permit to carry a concealed pistol in public, and it went into effect on January 1, 2023. Despite this, Alabama has maintained its concealed carry permit system for individuals who wish to carry in states that require a permit and offer reciprocity to Alabama permits.
Under the new law, anyone aged 19 or older (or 18 and older for active, retired, or honorably discharged veterans or law enforcement officers) who is not prohibited by state or federal law may carry a handgun in Alabama without a permit, background check, or safety training. However, there are still some restrictions on where a concealed weapon can be carried, such as on private property without the owner's consent or inside certain government buildings. Additionally, employers may restrict employees from carrying firearms in the workplace if they believe the employee is a danger to themselves or others.
While the new law allows Alabamians to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, the state still offers a permit system for those who wish to carry in states that require a permit. Alabama honors all out-of-state concealed carry permits, and Alabama residents must have an Alabama Pistol Permit to carry in the state. Non-residents with a valid concealed carry permit from another state can carry a firearm in Alabama but must follow Alabama's gun laws while in the state.
Alabama's concealed carry permit system is still in place, and permits are issued to those who meet the necessary requirements, including age, residency, and statutory criteria. The sheriff's office is responsible for reviewing applications, conducting background checks, and issuing permits. Alabama also offers free pistol permits to active and retired service members, law enforcement officers, and veterans who meet certain conditions.
While the "constitutional carry" law removes the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Alabama, individuals should still be aware of the restrictions on carrying firearms in certain places and situations. Additionally, the new law has not eliminated the need for permits entirely, as some states continue to require permits for concealed carry, and Alabama residents wishing to carry in those states can obtain an Alabama Pistol Permit.
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Frequently asked questions
Alabama's constitutional carry law went into effect on January 1, 2023.
Alabama's constitutional carry law, also known as HB 272, allows Alabamians to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
Alabama's constitutional carry law was met with mixed reactions. Gun-rights advocates supported the law, while some local law enforcement officials and Democratic policymakers opposed it, citing public safety concerns.
As of January 1, 2023, anyone 18 years of age or older (19 for non-veterans and non-law enforcement officers) who is not prohibited by state or federal law may carry a concealed handgun in Alabama without a permit, background check, or safety training.
Yes, there are certain restrictions on carrying a concealed firearm in Alabama. For example, individuals cannot carry a concealed weapon on private property without the consent of the property owner. Additionally, certain establishments, such as police stations and courthouses, prohibit the carrying of firearms.
