HB328 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed Henry

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Firearms, pistols, sale of or delivery to minor, record-keeping and administrative requirements, certain provisions eliminated, Secs. 13A-11-76, 13A-11-79, 13A-11-84, 40-12-143 am'd.

Summary

HB328 would widen under-18 pistol access with adult consent and eliminate some pistol-sale record-keeping and administrative requirements, while adjusting licensing and enforcement rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows a person under 18 to receive or possess a pistol if an adult 18+ (parent, guardian, or spouse) consents and certain conditions are met (such as presence of an adult, on premises of a guardian or immediate family member, presence of a licensed safety instructor, or use for hunting, training, or competition). It also updates pistol-dealer licensing and record-keeping requirements, including how licenses are issued, displayed, and documented, and how records must be kept and reported. It strengthens enforcement provisions, including penalties for violations, seizure and forfeiture procedures, and local licensing taxes and gun-show regulation, with specific roles for sheriffs, police, and district attorneys. The changes take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Minors under 18 who may receive or possess a pistol under the new consent-based exceptions and criteria.
• Parents, guardians, or spouses (18+) who must consent and may be involved in the minor’s firearm possession under specified conditions.
• Pistol dealers, local law enforcement, and the Secretary of State who have updated record-keeping, licensing, and reporting duties.
• Municipalities and counties that regulate gun sales and licensing, including licensing authorities and enforcement agencies.

Key Provisions

• Amends §13A-11-76 to create exceptions allowing a minor under 18 to possess a pistol if consent is given by an 18+ parent/guardian/spouse and one of several specified conditions is met (e.g., presence of an adult, on premises owned/leased by the guardian or immediate family, presence of a licensed safety instructor, or use for hunting/target shooting/competition).
• Amends §13A-11-79 to govern local licensing of retail pistol sales, including license issuance for up to one year, display requirements, purchaser identity verification, and a true triplicate sales record kept by the dealer and sent to police and the Secretary of State, with six-year retention.
• Amends §13A-11-84 to outline penalties for violations, duties of peace officers to seize pistols, and a process for court action to condemn and forfeit seized pistols, including potential transfer to law enforcement for continued use or destruction.
• Amends §40-12-143 to establish local license taxes for dealing in pistols and related items, regulate gun shows (including taxes and show duration), require record-keeping of sales, and authorize inspections by peace officers; describes penalties for failing to maintain records.

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

Subjects

Firearms