SB331 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Paul SanfordRusty GloverScott BeasonShadrack McGillDick BrewbakerBill HoltzclawClay ScofieldGerald O. Dial

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Firearms and ammunition in motor vehicles, certain persons and entities prohibited from establishing policies against persons transporting or storing firearms or ammunition in motor vehicles under certain conditions, civil actions authorized for certain violations, limited immunity for certain injuries.

Summary

SB331 would bar certain entities from prohibiting lawful transportation or storage of firearms or ammunition in private motor vehicles and create civil remedies and limited immunity for related actions.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits business entities, property owners, or public or private employers from enforcing policies that block a person from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition in a privately owned motor vehicle, as long as the person complies with all applicable laws and the vehicle is in a permitted location. It allows individuals injured or whose property is damaged by a violation to sue for damages, including attorney fees, and to seek a court order to stop violations. It requires employers to reinstate employees who were discharged for transporting or storing a firearm when lawful, restore benefits and seniority, and compensate lost wages if the issue is not resolved within 45 days. It provides limited immunity to the violating entities for damages, injuries, or deaths resulting from another person’s actions involving a firearm or ammunition transported or stored under the act.

Who It Affects

• Private individuals who transport or store firearms or ammunition in their privately owned motor vehicles would be protected from policies that block this, provided they follow all laws.
• Business entities, property owners, and public or private employers would have limited ability to regulate against transporting or storing firearms and could face civil actions for violations, with some immunity in certain situations.
• Employees discharged for transporting or storing a firearm in compliance with the law could be reinstated, have benefits restored, and be compensated for lost wages; they may sue if the issue is not resolved within 45 days.
• Injured individuals or the survivors of someone killed, and others damaged by violations, could sue for damages and attorney fees and seek court orders to stop violations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits entities from enacting policies that prohibit transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition in a privately owned motor vehicle when the firearm or ammunition is kept out of sight and the vehicle is in a permitted location and compliant with laws.
• Allows civil actions for damages and for injunctive relief against violators; prevailing plaintiffs may recover court costs and attorney fees.
• Requires reinstatement of employment, restoration of fringe benefits and seniority, and compensation for lost wages for employees discharged for transporting or storing a firearm in compliance with the act; if not resolved within 45 days, the employee may sue for these remedies.
• Provides limited immunity to business entities, property owners, or employers for damages, injuries, or deaths resulting from another person’s actions involving a firearm or ammunition transported or stored under the act, with exceptions for certain prohibited acts and locations.
• Exceptions include situations where the person operating the vehicle is prohibited from possessing or transporting firearms under specified Alabama or federal laws, or when the vehicle is located in places where firearms are prohibited by federal law.
• The act applies to any motor vehicle defined to include typical vehicles and requires the act to be liberally construed to protect lawful transportation and storage of firearms.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Ammunition