SB120 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Gerald H. AllenJimmy HolleyBill HoltzclawTom WhatleyPhillip W. WilliamsTrip PittmanGreg J. ReedBryan TaylorPaul BussmanClay ScofieldJerry L. FieldingDel MarshShadrack McGill

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

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

Summary

SB120 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to declare a fundamental right to bear arms and require strict scrutiny for any restrictions, while barring international treaties or laws from constraining that right.

What This Bill Does

It would establish that every citizen has a fundamental right to bear arms for self-defense and defense of the state, with any restriction on that right needing strict scrutiny. It would also prohibit any international treaty or law from forcing actions that prohibiting, limiting, or otherwise interfering with the right to keep and bear arms. The amendment would become valid only if approved by voters, and it includes a severability clause so parts can remain in effect if another part is invalidated.

Who It Affects

• All Alabama citizens, who would gain a fundamental right to bear arms and have restrictions on that right evaluated under strict scrutiny.
• State and local government actors (including the legislature and law enforcement) who would apply strict scrutiny to gun-restriction laws and be constrained by the prohibition on being compelled by international treaties or laws to restrict the right.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a fundamental right to bear arms for every citizen; any restriction on this right must be reviewed under strict scrutiny.
• Prohibits any international treaty or law from compelling a citizen to take actions that prohibit, limit, or interfere with the right to keep and bear arms.
• Contains a severability clause so if one part is invalid, the rest remains in effect.
• Sets out that the amendment will be put to a vote of the qualified electors, requiring a majority to become part of the Constitution, and describes ballot wording.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments