SB354 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Scott Beason
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Bill Holtzclaw Rusty Glover Clay Scofield Greg J. Reed Jimmy Holley Bill Hightower Gerald H. Allen Paul Sanford Trip Pittman Phillip W. Williams Roger Bedford, Jr.Mark Slade Blackwell Paul Bussman Jerry L. Fielding Tom Whatley Harri Anne Smith Del Marsh
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Disorderly conduct, definition revised, carrying a pistol in a vehicle without a pistol permit, authorized, discretion of sheriff in concealed pistol licensing eliminated under certain conditions, certain provisions of concealed pistol licensing revised, Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74, 13A-11-75 am'd.
Summary: SB354 would revise disorderly conduct to exclude lawful firearm carrying from being a crime and allow pistol carry in a vehicle or on certain property without a permit, while overhauling the pistol licensing process and related rules.
What This Bill Does
It clarifies that lawful carrying of a firearm under certain conditions is not disorderly conduct. It allows carrying a pistol in a vehicle or on certain property without a concealed pistol permit, with specific exceptions. It changes how pistol permits are issued, renewed, and revoked, including background and immigration checks, confidentiality rules for personal data, and statewide validity of permits. It also notes potential local funding effects but says the bill is exempt from local-funding approval requirements because it defines a new crime or changes an existing one.

Who It Affects
Gun owners and potential pistol carriers: may carry in a vehicle or on certain property without a concealed pistol permit under specified conditions, and must follow permit rules in other situations.
County sheriffs and licensing officials (and law enforcement): would issue, renew, and revoke permits, conduct background and immigration checks, maintain records, and enforce the new licensing framework.

Key Provisions
Disorderly conduct clarification: the mere carrying of a visible pistol in public, under certain conditions, shall not be a violation of disorderly conduct.
Carrying without a permit: a person may carry a pistol in a vehicle or on property under their own control without a permit, with specific exceptions; otherwise a permit is required for carrying in other circumstances.
Licensing process overhaul: sheriffs must issue or renew permits for 1–5 years, define eligibility factors (including mental health and criminal history), provide written denial/revocation explanations, allow appeals, and ensure statewide validity with required background checks and confidentiality protections.
Records and privacy: personal identifying information collected for permits must be kept confidential and not publicly released, while permit statistics remain public; redaction rules apply for non-law-enforcement requests.
Local funding note: the bill acknowledges possible new local expenditures but is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or changes an existing crime.

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