Alabama Concealed Carry Laws & Information

We try to stay as up to date as possible, but always check with local law enforcement to be sure about which states honor your states permit.

The following states have permitless carry. This means that if you can legally possess a firearm in that state you can carry it concealed without a permit/license. You still have to abide by all conceaeled carry laws in that state. Please note that the last three states only allow residents to carry without a permit/license. Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, Idaho (Residents Only), North Dakota (Residents Only), Wyoming (Residents Only).

Information compiled from various state government and private sites from around the web.

Reciprocity: How This State Honors Other States Permits & Licenses

Alabama Honors all other states Permits or Licenses.

13A-11-85 Reciprocity for Licenses Issued in Other States.

(a) 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.

(b) The Attorney General is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for the mutual recognition of licenses to carry handguns and shall periodically publish a list of states which recognize licenses issued pursuant to Section 13A-11-75.

How to Apply for an Alabama Concealed Carry Permit

The Local Sheriff in Alabama Issues Licenses. More and more Alabama Sheriffs are choosing applications electronically. Contact your local Sheriff or check on their website for details on how to apply.

Term of Permit: 1 to 5 Years (Choose the Term)

Age to Obtain a License: 18 Years Old

Costs: Fee’s are as prescribed by local law multiplied by the number of years of the License requested by the applicant. Shelby County is charging $20.00 per Year for term of License.

Retired Military: No charge for License or Renewal (Check with local Sheriff)

There are no training requirements in Alabama.

13A-11-75 License to Carry Pistol in Vehicle or Concealed on Person - Issuance; Term; Form; Fee; Revocation.

(a)(1)a. The sheriff of a county, upon the application of any person residing in that county, may within 30 days from receipt of a complete application and accompanying fee, shall issue or renew a license for such person to carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person within this state for one to five year increments, as requested by the person seeking the license, from date of issue, unless the sheriff determines, based upon reasonable suspicion, that there is a credible risk that the person will use a weapon unlawfully or in such other manner that would endanger the person's self or others.

The Sheriff can arrange to take applications electronically and take payments electronically but is able to charge the applicant the additional costs of doing applications/payments electronically.

How to Obtain A Non-Resident Alabama Concealed Carry Permit

Alabama Does not issue Non-Resident Permits.

Military stationed in Alabama should check with their local sheriffs department about getting a non-resident concealed carry permit.

Places You Can Not Carry Even With an Alabama Concealed Carry Permit

13A-11-61.2 Possession of firearms in certain places.

(a) In addition to any other place limited or prohibited by state or federal law, a person, including a person with a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85, Code of Alabama 1975, may not knowingly possess or carry a firearm in any of the following places without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises:

(1) Inside the building of a police, sheriff, or highway patrol station.
(2) Inside or on the premises of a 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.
(3) Inside of a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.
(4) 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 regularly scheduled or specially called meeting.
(5) Inside any facility hosting an athletic event not related to or involving firearms which is sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school or any private or public institution of postsecondary education, unless the person has a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.
(6) Inside any facility hosting a professional athletic event not related to or involving firearms, unless the person has a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), a person, including a person with a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85, may not, without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises, knowingly possess or carry a firearm inside any building or facility to which access of unauthorized persons and prohibited articles is limited during normal hours of operation by the continuous posting of guards and the use of other security features, including, but not limited to, magnetometers, key cards, biometric screening devices, or turnstiles or other physical barriers. Nothing in this subsection otherwise restricts the possession, transportation, or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee's privately-owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in a public or private parking area provided the employee complies with the requirements of Section 13A-11-90.
(c) The person or entity with authority over the premises set forth in subsections (a)(1)-(6) and subsection (b) shall place a notice at the public entrances of such premises or buildings alerting those entering that firearms are prohibited.
(d) Except as provided in subsections (a)(5) and (a)(6), any firearm on the premises of any facility set forth in subsection (a)(1), or subsections (a)(4)-(6), or subsection (b) must be kept from ordinary observation and locked within a compartment or in the interior of the person's motor vehicle or in a compartment or container securely affixed to the motor vehicle.

The University of Alabama is stating that they do not fall under the new law and their firearms policy is still in effect. No Firearms on their property even in their parking lots or garages. Other Schools of Higher Education may also be enforcing their policies on "No Firearms" on their campus. Use Caution until this is decided by the AG or most likely by the courts.

13A-11-72 Certain persons forbidden to possess pistol.

Premises of a public school. The term "public school" as used in this section applies only to a school composed of grades K-12 and shall include a school bus used for grades K-12

(c) Subject to the exceptions provided by Section 13A-11-74, no person shall knowingly with intent to do bodily harm carry or possess a deadly weapon on the premises of a public school.
(d) Possession of a deadly weapon with the intent to do bodily harm on the premises of a public school in violation of subsection (c) of this section is a Class C felony.
(e) School security personnel and school resource officers qualified under subsection (a) of Section 16-1-44.1, employed by a local board of education, and authorized by the employing local board of education to carry a deadly weapon while on duty are exempt from subsection (c) of this section. Law enforcement officers are exempt from this section, and persons with pistol permits issued pursuant to Section 13A-11-75, are exempt from subsection (c) of this section.

13A-11-59 Possession of Firearms by Persons Participating in, Attending, Etc., Demonstrations at Public Places

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this subsection, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) Demonstration. Demonstrating, picketing, speechmaking or marching, holding of vigils and all other like forms of conduct which involve the communication or expression of views or grievances engaged in by one or more persons, the conduct of which has the effect, intent or propensity to draw a crowd or onlookers. Such term shall not include casual use of property by visitors or tourists which does not have an intent or propensity to attract a crowd or onlookers.
(2) Firearm. Any pistol, rifle, shotgun or firearm of any kind, whether loaded or not.
(3) Law Enforcement Officer. Any duly appointed and acting federal, state, county or municipal law enforcement officer, peace officer or investigating officer, or any military or militia personnel called out or directed by constituted authority to keep the law and order, and any park ranger while acting as such on the grounds of a public park and who is on regular duty and present to actively police and control the demonstration, and who is assigned this duty by his department or agency. Such term does not include a peace officer on strike or a peace officer not on duty.
(4) Public Place. Any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, but does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the public. Such term shall include the front or immediate area or parking lot of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern, shopping center or other place of business. Such term shall also include any public building, the grounds of any public building, or within the curtilage of any public building, or in any
public parking lot, public street, right-of-way, sidewalk right-of-way, or within any public park or other public grounds.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than a law enforcement officer, to have in his or her possession or on his or her person or in any vehicle any firearm while participating in or attending any demonstration being held at a public place.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than a law enforcement officer as defined in subsection (a) of this section, to have in his or her possession or about his or her person or in any vehicle at a point within 1,000 feet of a demonstration at a public place, any firearm after having first been advised by a law enforcement officer that a demonstration was taking place at a public place and after having been ordered by such officer to remove himself or herself from the prescribed area until such time as he or she no longer was in possession of any firearm. This subsection shall not apply to any person in possession of or having on his or her person any firearm within a private dwelling or other private building or structure.

Do note with the Alabama law change from "May Issue" to "Shall Issue", the Sheriffs in Alabama will no longer be able to put additional restrictions on the permits they issue.

Firearms on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA Property)

4. Firearms and Weapons - TVA campgrounds may receive use by hunters during hunting season. While firearms and weapons are generally prohibited, possession of firearms and other weapons associated with in-season hunting excursions are permissible if they are unloaded and properly cased. Possession of firearms at TVA public ramps, associated roads, and parking areas are allowed if the possession complies with the law of the state where the boat ramp is located and is not otherwise prohibited by law. Day Use Areas, Campgrounds, and other developed recreational TVA lands are still off limits. TVA lands for Hunting is presently allowed. Undeveloped Shorelines, Boat Ramps, Boat Ramp Parking Areas and Associated Roads are areas is where carry will be allowed.

Open Carry (Without a Valid Permit or License)

Open Carry without a Valid Permit/License is legal in Alabama. Places as listed in the “Places Off Limits” apply to those who open carry. Vehicle Carry is not permitted unless you have a valid Permit/License to Carry a Handgun. See the “RV/Car Carry Without an Alabama Concealed Carry Permit” section for carrying in a vehicle.

The state preempts all firearm laws in the state and local authorities can’t have Laws/Ordinances against open carry. Remember that if you enter any property and the owner or responsible person ask you to leave you must leave. Failure to leave can result in Trespass Charges.

The Minimum age for Open Carry is 18 Years Old.

13A-11-7. Disorderly conduct

(a) A person commits the crime of disorderly conduct if, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he or she does any of the following:
(c) It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the mere carrying of a visible pistol, holstered or secured, in a public place, in and of itself, is not a violation of this section.

(6) (c) It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the mere carrying of a visible pistol, holstered or secured, in a public place, in and of itself, is not a violation of this section.

Open Carry could be forbidden in places where those with a valid permit/license can carry, please continue reading for more.

13A-11-75. This Section addresses how a Sheriff will issue a Permit. It states this in Part g.

(g) This section shall not be construed to limit or place any conditions upon a person's right to carry a pistol that is not in a motor vehicle or not concealed.

RV/Car Carry Without an Alabama Concealed Carry Permit

You must have a Permit or License to carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle.

13A-11-73(b) Permit to Carry Pistol In Vehicle or Concealed on Person - Required; Possession of Unloaded Pistol In Motor Vehicle.

Except as otherwise prohibited by law, a person legally permitted to possess a pistol, but who does not possess a valid concealed weapon permit, may possess an unloaded pistol in his or her motor vehicle if the pistol is locked in a compartment or container that is in or affixed securely to the vehicle and out of reach of the driver and any passenger in the vehicle.

A person may lawfully transport a firearm, including a handgun, from one state in which they are legal to possess to another state without a permit as required under Alabama law, provided the following conditions are met:

The firearm is unloaded.
Neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle.
In case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm and ammunition shall be in a locked container other than the glove box or console. Title 18 U.S.C. section 926A

Must Inform the Officer Immediately on Contact By Law?

The answer is "NO".

13A-11-73 Permit to Carry Pistol In Vehicle or Concealed on Person - Required; Possession of Unloaded Pistol In Motor Vehicle.

(a) Except on land under his or her control or in his or her own abode or his or her own fixed place of business, no person shall carry a pistol in any vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person without a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.

Take note that nothing in the Alabama law specifically states you have to present your Permit or License to an Officer on demand. It does say a Permit is required if you carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on your person. You would have to present it to an officer if they knew you had a pistol in your vehicle or concealed on your person as a Permit/License is required to carry in those instances. If you didn’t have your Permit/License, you would be in violation of 13A-11-73. So it is recommended that you must always carry your permit/license.

Laws Regarding Parking Lot Storage in Alabama

13A-11-90 Restrictions on Firearms by Employers.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a public or private employer may restrict or prohibit its employees, including those with a permit issued or recognized under Section 13A-11-75, Code of Alabama 1975, from carrying firearms while on the employer's property or while engaged in the duties of the person's employment.
(b) A public or private employer may not restrict or prohibit the transportation or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee’s privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in a public or private parking area if the employee satisfies all of the following:

(1) The employee either:

a. Has a valid concealed weapon permit; or
b. If the weapon is any firearm legal for use for hunting in Alabama other than a pistol:

i. The employee possesses a valid Alabama hunting license;
ii. The weapon is unloaded at all times on the property;
iii. It is during a season in which hunting is permitted by Alabama law or regulation;
iv. The employee has never been convicted of any crime of violence as that term is defined in Section 13A-11-70, Code of Alabama 1975, nor of any crime set forth in Article 6 of Title 13A, Code of Alabama 1975, nor is subject to a Domestic Violence Order, as that term is defined in Section 13A-6-141, Code of Alabama 1975;
v. The employee does not meet any of the factors set forth in Section 13A-11 75 (a)(1) a.1-8; and
vi. The employee has no documented prior workplace incidents involving the threat of physical injury or which resulted in physical injury

(2) The motor vehicle is operated or parked in a location where it is otherwise permitted to be.
(3) The firearm is either of the following:

a. In a motor vehicle attended by the employee, kept from ordinary observation within the person's motor vehicle.
b. In a motor vehicle unattended by the employee, kept from ordinary observation and locked within a compartment, container, or in the interior of the person’s privately owned motor vehicle or in a compartment or container securely affixed to the motor vehicle.

13A-11-61.2 Possession of Firearms in Certain Places.

Carry In State Parks//WMA/Road Side Rest Areas & St. /Nat. Forests

Carry is allowed in these following Areas:

State Parks: ALLOWED but Handguns Only Admin Code 220-5-.08
State/National Forests ALLOWED Forest FAQs
State WMA’s: ALLOWED but Handguns Only Admin Code 220-2
Road Side Rest Areas: ALLOWED

State Preemption

13A-11-61.3 Regulation of Firearms, Ammunition, and Firearm Accessories.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this act or as expressly authorized by a statute of this state, the Legislature hereby occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation in this state touching in any way upon firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance, or rule promulgated or enforced by any political subdivision of this state.
(d) The authority of a political subdivision to regulate firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories shall not be inferred from its proprietary authority, home rule status, or any other inherent or general power.
(e) Any existing orders, ordinances, or rules promulgated or enforced contrary to the terms of this section are null and void and any future order, ordinance, or rules shall comply with this section.
(f)(1) A person adversely affected by any order, ordinance, or rule promulgated in violation of this section may file a petition with the Attorney General requesting that he or she bring an action in circuit court for declarative and injunctive relief. The petition must be signed under oath and under penalty of perjury and must include specific details regarding the alleged violations.

Laws Regarding Deadly Force

Title 13A Criminal Code.

Article 1 Responsibility.

Section 13A-3-1 Mental disease or defect.
Section 13A-3-2 Intoxication.
Section 13A-3-3 Immaturity.

Article 2 Justification and Excuse.

Section 13A-3-20 Definitions.
Section 13A-3-22 Execution of public duty.
Section 13A-3-23 Use of force in defense of a person.
Section 13A-3-24 Use of force by persons with parental, custodial or special responsibilities.
Section 13A-3-25 Use of force in defense of premises.
Section 13A-3-26 Use of force in defense of property other than premises.
Section 13A-3-27 Use of force in making an arrest or preventing an escape.
Section 13A-3-28 Use of force in resisting arrest prohibited.
Section 13A-3-30 Duress.
Section 13A-3-31 Entrapment.

Laws Regarding Chemical Sprays, Stun Guns, and Higher Capacity Magazines

Mobile - Sec. 62-23 - Permit to Carry Required. (City Permit from Local Police)
No person shall carry a tear gas fountain pen, tear gas gun or similar device designed to discharge tear gas or other incapacitating gas, liquid, solid or chemical in any vehicle or on or about his person or in his place of business without a permit there for as provided by this article.

Montgomery - Sec. 18-114 mace, tear gas or stun gun not allowed to be possessed on School property including storage in a vehicle on school property.

Airport Carry and Other Misc. Information

Airport Carry: Carry In Parking Lots/Outside Secure Area of Terminal OK

Training Valid for: No time limit.

Time Period to Establish Residency: Reside in County

Minimum Age for Permit/License: 18 years old

Permit/License Info Public Information: NO

State Reciprocity/How They Honor Other States Statute: 13A-11-85

State Fire arm Laws: 13A-11-50 thru 13A-11-85

State Deadly Force Laws: 13A-3-1 thru 13A-3-31

State Knife Laws: 13A-11-50 & 13A-11-55

Chemical/Electric Weapons Laws: 13A-6-27 (Chem)

Body Armor Laws: No Laws Found

Does Your Permit Cover Other Weapons Besides Firearms? NO 13A-11-75.

Is carrying of a Concealed Firearm with Permit or License for Defensive Purposes Only While Hunting Legal? YES

See Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Reg 220-2.10 as some Preserves etc. in Alabama seem off limits to any firearms.

What Does AL Consider A Loaded Firearm?

The Alabama law does not define Loaded Firearm. Their firearm laws use the word Loaded or Unloaded but does not give a definition.

State Emergency Powers

Section 31-9-8 Emergency Powers of Governor.

(a) The provisions of this section shall be operative only during the existence of a state of emergency, referred to hereinafter as one of the states of emergency defined in Section 31-9-3. The existence of a state of emergency may be proclaimed by the Governor as provided in this subsection or by joint resolution of the Legislature if the Governor in the proclamation or the Legislature in the resolution finds that an attack upon the United States has occurred or is anticipated in the immediate future, or that a natural disaster of major proportions or a public health emergency has occurred or is reasonably anticipated in the immediate future within this state and that the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of this state require an invocation of the provisions of this section. The emergency, whether proclaimed by the Governor or by the Legislature, shall terminate 60 days after the date on which it was proclaimed unless the Governor extends the emergency by proclamation or the Legislature extends the emergency by a joint resolution. Upon proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency, the Governor may call the Legislature into special session. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor or the Speaker of the House may request in writing that the Governor call the Legislature into special session. During the period that the proclaimed emergency exists or continues, the Governor shall have and may exercise the following additional emergency powers:

(9) To establish agencies and offices and to appoint temporary executive, technical, clerical, and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article without regard to the Merit System Act.

(d)(1) Nothing in this section shall authorize the seizure or confiscation of any firearm or ammunition from any individual who is lawfully carrying or possessing the firearm or ammunition except as provided in subdivision (2).

(2) A law enforcement officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer's official duties may disarm an individual if the officer reasonably believes that it is immediately necessary for the protection of the officer or another individual. The officer shall return the firearm to the individual before discharging that individual unless the officer arrests that individual for engaging in criminal activity or seizes the firearm as evidence pursuant to an investigation for the commission of a crime or, at the discretion of the officer, the individual poses a threat to himself or herself or to others.

31-9-10 Local Emergency Management Organizations; Emergency Powers of Political Subdivisions.

(a) Each political subdivision of this state is hereby authorized and directed to establish a local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program and may confer or authorize the conferring, upon members of the auxiliary police, the powers of peace officers, subject to such restrictions as shall be imposed. The governing body of the political subdivision is authorized to appoint a director, who shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and operation of such local organization for emergency management, subject to the direction and control of such governing body. Each local organization for emergency management shall perform emergency management functions within the territorial limits of the political subdivision within which it is organized, and, in addition, shall conduct such functions outside of such territorial limits as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this article.

The Federal Law can apply if the state is receiving monetary and/or other assistance from the Federal Government. See US Code 42-5207 for Federal Law as it applies to States of Emergencies. The state quoted code may also not be all of the law on Emergency Powers held by the state. You should read the entire code on Emergency Powers etc for this state by following the link to the state code.

Minimum Age for Possessing and Transporting of Handguns

Alabama: 18 Years Old 13A-11-57

This is the minimum age for possessing and transporting a handgun unloaded and secured in a vehicle without any type of permit/license to carry firearms. Study your state law further for more information. Also See “RV/Car Carry Without an Alabama Concealed Carry Permit” Section Above for more information.

Alabama Statute 13A-11-72(f) spells out certain instances where a minor can possess a firearm. See the statute of Alabama for more information.

Some states can have very restrictive laws on possessing and transporting handguns in that you can only possess and transport a handgun to and from a Shooting Range, Gun Shop, property you own or other places you can legally possess a handgun. Some states do not have this restriction.