HB430 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Firearms, concealed pistol permits, lifetime permit authorized, fees for issuance, Secs. 11-45-1.1, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-59 repealed; Secs. 11-80-11, 13A-11-7, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-75, 13A-11-85 am'd.

Summary

HB430 would centralize firearm regulation in Alabama by expanding the statewide concealed pistol permit system, broadening carrying rights, and dramatically limiting local government gun rules while creating new checks and remedies for employers, property owners, and individuals.

What This Bill Does

It preempts most local authority to regulate firearms, repealing several local gun rules and allowing civil action against unauthorized local actions. It creates a statewide concealed pistol permit process with a sheriff’s duty to issue or deny within 30 days, renewals of 1–5 years, revocation, and an appeals process, and it requires background checks including NI background data; non-U.S. citizens may receive permits under certain conditions. It expands where and how firearms can be carried, clarifies that lawful carrying is not automatically disorderly conduct, and allows employers to restrict carrying only in limited circumstances while protecting employee storage in private vehicles and prohibiting questions about firearms; it also requires secure check-in/storage for firearms on state and local property and allows reciprocal licensing with other states. It further strengthens state preemption by giving the Legislature exclusive regulatory power over firearms, ammunitions, and accessories, and it repeals several local prohibitions on gun shows, carrying on others’ property, and demonstrations.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who own or carry firearms (including concealed pistol license holders and applicants) and employees who may transport or store firearms in their private vehicles, including non-U.S. citizens who meet certain conditions; they would face a statewide permit regime, broadened carrying rights, required/updated background checks, and new protections and remedies related to employment and property storage.
• Counties, municipalities, private employers, business owners, and other property owners; they would lose most local firearm regulatory authority, must follow state rules, and could be sued or face penalties for noncompliance, while still retaining limited powers in narrowly defined areas.

Key Provisions

• Consolidation and preemption of local firearm regulation: Counties and municipalities may not regulate gun shows, possession, ownership, transport, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, registration, or use of firearms, ammunition, or related components, with limited exceptions; local laws conflicting with state rules are void; civil remedies are provided for individuals adversely affected by unauthorized local actions.
• Pistol in a motor vehicle and carry not inherently concealed: The bill ensures that mere presence of a pistol in a vehicle does not create a presumption it is concealed, and lawful carrying under specified conditions is not automatically disorderly conduct.
• Statewide concealed pistol permit system: Sheriffs must issue or deny within 30 days of a complete application and fees; licenses may be issued for 1–5 year periods; revocation and an appeals process are provided; background checks include NI background data; non-U.S. citizens may obtain permits under certain conditions and may be denied based on immigration/information from federal sources.
• Reciprocity and recognition: The Attorney General may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for mutual recognition of licenses to carry pistols; Alabama will periodically publish states that recognize Alabama licenses; license validity allows carrying on private and public property under defined rules.
• Employer and workplace rules: Employers may restrict carrying in limited circumstances but cannot inquire about firearms in an employee’s privately owned vehicle parked on public/private property; remedies and reinstatement rights are provided for employees who are unlawfully treated under these rules.
• Storage and government property: State and local entities must allow check-in at designated entrances for secure firearm storage while on the property; possession of firearms on certain restricted premises is regulated, with defined penalties for violations and civil action rights for affected parties.
• Repeals of local restrictions: Repeals Section 11-45-1.1 (municipal handgun ordinances), 13A-11-52 (carrying on the property of another), and 13A-11-59 (firearms at demonstrations); local governments lose broad authority to regulate firearms.
• Civil enforcement and remedies: The bill authorizes civil actions and attorney’s fees for violations of the new framework, including state-level enforcement by the Attorney General and specific relief for affected individuals or entities.
• Definitions and scope: The bill provides definitions for ammunition, firearm accessories, firearm, and related terms to support the unified regulatory framework and clarifies who is considered a “person adversely affected.”
• Effective date and constitutional considerations: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage; it includes provisions to avoid triggering local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 by creating new crimes or amending existing ones.
• Other notable changes: It repeals restrictions on firearm possession at public demonstrations and clarifies penalties and exceptions related to carrying firearms in particular places, including provisions related to public and private property, and checked storage at entrances.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Weapons