Alabama Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Constitutional Carry?

Does Alabama allow constitutional carry?

Open Carry Permitted?

Is open carry permitted in Alabama?

Gun Permit Licensure?

If Alabama requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?

Minimum Age for Concealed Carry?

What is the minimum age in Alabama to get a concealed carry permit?

Weapons Other Than Handguns Allowed?

Can you conceal carry weapons other than handguns in Alabama with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?

Non-Resident Permitting?

Does Alabama issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?

Public Access to Concealed Carry Registry?

Does Alabama allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?

Carry in Vehicle?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle in Alabama?

Carry at Roadside Rest Areas?

Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Alabama?

Carry in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Alabama?

Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol?

Can you carry a firearm in restaurants that serve alcohol in Alabama?

Store in a Vehicle in an Employee Parking Lot?

Does Alabama have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?

Must Notify Officer You're Carrying?

Are you required to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Alabama?

Magazine Limits for Handguns?

Does Alabama have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?

Ammunition Restrictions?

Does Alabama have ammunition restrictions?

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Alabama? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Preemption?

Does Alabama have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?

Red Flag Law?

Does Alabama have a red flag law?

Tasers or Stun Guns?

Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Alabama?

Requirements:

An applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Reside in the county where he or she files the application;
• Be a suitable person to be licensed;
  • Not be a registered sex offender;
  • Not have been found guilty but mentally ill in a criminal case;
  • Not have asserted a defense in a criminal case of not guilty by reason of insanity or mental disease or defect;
  • Not have required involuntary inpatient treatment in a psychiatric hospital or similar treatment facility for any reason, including drug use;
  • Not have been the subject of a prosecution or of a commitment or incompetency proceeding that could lead to a prohibition on the receipt or possession of a firearm under the laws of Alabama;
  • Not have caused justifiable concern for public safety;
•  Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

Fees:

New Permits and Renewals - Set by county sheriff, but generally $20 per year, so $100 for a 5-year permit.

Active Duty Military Veterans/Retirees

Any nondisability retirees from active duty military who meets the conditions for issuance of a pistol permit shall be eligible to obtain the pistol permit without paying a fee for the permit. Upon approval of the pistol permit application, the pistol permit shall be issued by the sheriff of the county in which the veteran resides upon presentation by the retired military veteran of the United States government issued Veteran Identification Card or a DD-214 Proof of Military Service form and sufficient proof that the person is a military retiree. The retired military veteran shall apply for renewal as required by law, but shall be eligible to obtain renewed pistol permits without paying a fee as long as he or she meets the conditions for renewal of the permit.

Valid For:

Applicant chooses between 1 to 5 years

Processing Time:

30 days

Application:

Check online for your county sheriff’s office. Some have applications available for download.

Link to county sheriff’s websites

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:

Alabama doesn't issue permits to non-residents.

Name/Address Changes:

You will need to contact the local county sheriff to change the information on your permit.

Lost/Stolen Permits:

You will need to contact your county sheriff to obtain a new permit.

Step 1:

Obtain the application form from your local county sheriff. Some counties have a permit application that can be downloaded from their website.

Step 2:

Complete the form.

Step 3:

Submit your application to the sheriff’s office in your county.

Step 4:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Step 1:

You must renew an Alabama Pistol Permit before it expires. Mail or bring your old pistol license to your county sheriff’s office and complete a renewal application. Some counties have an option to renew online. 
 

Step 2:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved within 30 days of receipt of a completed application.

Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Alabama?

• Carry in restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? No.
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and WMAs? Yes. Handguns only in state parks and WMAs.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no state statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Where Can't I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Alabama?

Places off-limits even with a permit/license

• Premises of a public K-12 school;
• School bus for K-12 grades;
• Demonstrations at public places;
• Alabama State House;
• University of Alabama;
• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations;
• Prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility or other criminal or juvenile detention facility;
• Inside any facility hosting an athletic event (not related to firearms) which is sponsored by an elementary, secondary or post-secondary school;
• Inside any building or facility to which access is limited during normal hours of operation by the continuous posting of guards and the use of other security features;
• Inside a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental or emotional disorders;
• Inside a courthouse or courthouse annex;
• Courthouse or building in which a district attorney’s office is located;
• Building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a meeting; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

Do firearms need to be registered in Alabama?

No.

Is a permit required to purchase a gun in Alabama?

No.

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Alabama?

No.

Is there a waiting period after purchasing a firearm in Alabama?

No.

What are the knife laws in Alabama?

Most types of knives are legal and can be carried concealed, except bowie knives and anything similar to them. It is illegal to have a bowie knife in a vehicle.

What are the laws regarding carrying a firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication in AL?

Not addressed in state statutes.
As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.