HB465 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Talladega Co., churches, deadly physical force, use in self-defense or defense of others
Summary: A Talladega County-only constitutional amendment to allow deadly force on church premises in self-defense or defense of others under certain conditions, with immunity and a pretrial immunity process.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the amendment applies only in Talladega County and defines key terms like church, deadly physical force, force, and premises. It allows a person on church premises to use deadly force if they reasonably believe someone is about to use force against a church employee, volunteer, member, or other authorized person during or around a crime involving death, serious injury, robbery, or kidnapping. It adds a no-duty-to-retreat rule for those justified, and grants immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability if the force is justified. It also requires a pretrial hearing to determine immunity, with possible dismissal of charges if immunity is proven, and specifies investigation rules by law enforcement with arrest only if there is probable cause the force was unlawful.

Who It Affects
People on Talladega County church premises (employees, volunteers, members, and others authorized to be on the premises) who may use deadly force in self-defense or to defend others under the specified circumstances; they would have a legal presumption of justification and immunity if justified.
Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts in Talladega County, who would conduct pretrial immunity hearings, determine immunity by preponderance of the evidence, and decide whether to dismiss charges; they would also follow standard investigation procedures and arrest only when there is probable cause that the force was unlawful.

Key Provisions
Applicability limited to Talladega County.
Defines key terms: Church, Deadly Physical Force, Force, Premises.
Allows deadly force in self-defense or defense of another on church premises if reasonably believed to prevent harm during certain crimes (death, serious injury, first-degree robbery, or first-degree kidnapping) involving someone on the premises.
No duty to retreat; stand your ground for justified use of force.
Immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action if the force is justified, with a caveat for unlawful use.
Pretrial immunity hearing required; if immunity proven by a preponderance of the evidence, charges are dismissed.
If immunity is not proven at the pretrial stage, the defense may proceed at trial with the state bearing the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Law enforcement may investigate under standard procedures but may not arrest the person unless there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

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