HB8 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Jones

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Firearms, right to bear arms, strict scrutiny standard required for certain denials of right, const. amend.

Summary

HB8 would amend Alabama's constitution to declare a fundamental right to bear arms and require any restrictions to meet strict scrutiny, while barring international treaties or laws from limiting that right.

What This Bill Does

It would add a fundamental right to bear arms for defense of self and the state, with any restriction on that right subject to strict scrutiny. It would also ban international treaties or laws from requiring actions that would prohibit, limit, or interfere with this right if doing so would violate the United States Constitution. The amendment would be decided by a statewide vote, and includes a severability clause so parts can stay in effect even if another part is struck down.

Who It Affects

• All Alabama citizens would have a guaranteed right to bear arms for defense of self and state, with any restrictions evaluated under strict scrutiny.
• State and local government entities (including lawmakers and public safety agencies) would need to apply strict scrutiny to gun restrictions and would be constrained by the provision blocking international treaties or laws from limiting the right.

Key Provisions

• Adds a fundamental right to bear arms for defense of self and state, with any restriction on this right subject to strict scrutiny.
• Prohibits any international treaty or international law from requiring actions that would prohibit, limit, or interfere with a citizen's fundamental right to keep and bear arms if doing so would violate the U.S. Constitution.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments