SB135 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip W. Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Firearms and ammunition, state preemption of regulation of, further provided for, Sec. 13A-11-61.3 am'd.

Summary

SB135 would state that the state fully preempts regulation, taxation, and use of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories, and would bar local governments from firearm-related fees or restricting pistol-permit issuance.

What This Bill Does

It declares that Alabama controls the entire field of firearm regulation, including taxation and use, ensuring uniform statewide rules. It prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing user fees or other special fees tied solely to firearm ownership or use, and from adding restrictions on pistol-permit issuance. It maintains narrowly defined local regulatory authority only in specific, expressly authorized situations (such as certain law enforcement, employer policies during official duties, gun ranges, gun shows, and related programs), all constrained by state law.

Who It Affects

• Firearm owners and users in Alabama, who would be governed by uniform state-wide rules and whose costs related to ownership or use would not be set by local governments.
• Counties and municipalities in Alabama, which would be barred from most firearm-related fees or permit restrictions outside the state preemption, with limited, explicitly allowed exceptions.

Key Provisions

• The state occupies and preempts the entire field of regulation of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories, including taxation and use, effectively voiding local orders that conflict with state law.
• Local governments may not impose user fees or other special fees related solely to the ownership or use of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories, nor add restrictions on pistol-permit issuance.
• Definitions for key terms (ammunition, firearm accessory, firearm) and the concept of ‘person adversely affected’ are provided to guide application and enforcement.
• Exceptions where local regulation is permitted are narrowly defined (e.g., certain law enforcement actions, employer policies during official duties, firearm ranges, gun shows, and related programs) but must comply with state law.
• Enforcement mechanisms allow the Attorney General to pursue action against noncompliant political subdivisions, with potential reimbursement of legal expenses to affected individuals.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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