HB34 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lynn Greer

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Churches, use of deadly force authorized, in defense of self or others for certain crimes against church members or volunteers, Alabama Church Protection Act, Secs. 13A-3-20, 13A-3-23 am'd.

Summary

HB34 would extend self-defense protections to people on church premises, allowing deadly force in defense of themselves or others with immunity from criminal liability when justified.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Alabama self-defense laws to let a person on church property use physical force, including deadly force, in self-defense or defense of others under specified conditions. It provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified force on church premises, and allows standing your ground with no duty to retreat. It also establishes a pretrial immunity hearing to determine justification and, if immunity is proven, dismissal of charges.

Who It Affects

• Church members, volunteers, employees, and others authorized to be on church premises would gain immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified self-defense on church property.
• Assailants or criminals who threaten or commit violent acts on church premises would be affected by the new rules that permit defenders to use deadly force if justified, changing potential legal outcomes after such incidents.

Key Provisions

• Extends the self-defense justification to church premises and provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified uses of force, including deadly force, on church property.
• Creates a pretrial immunity hearing to decide if the force used was justified; if justified, the court dismisses charges and confirms immunity; there is no duty to retreat on church premises and stand-your-ground rights apply.

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

Subjects

Churches