HB404 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Criminal code, offenses against public order, firearms, concealed pistols, concealed carry permit, constitutional carry, pistol permits, Secs. 9-11-304, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-55, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-75, 13A-11-85, 13A-11-90 am'd.

Summary

HB404 would remove the concealed carry permit requirement, broaden where firearms may be carried, and repeal several firearm restrictions in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill repeals or relaxes restrictions on carrying or possessing firearms on certain property or in a motor vehicle and revises restrictions at various locations. It eliminates the need to obtain a concealed carry permit to carry a pistol, moving toward permitless carry. It makes technical revisions and updates rules governing where firearms can be carried, how they can be stored, and how non-residents’ firearms are treated, while also addressing local funding rules related to the change. It repeals several existing statutes that previously restricted firearm carrying and storage in specific places and updates related definitions and processes.

Who It Affects

• General public and gun owners in Alabama, who would be able to carry a pistol without obtaining a concealed carry permit and would face revised location restrictions and new handling rules.
• Employers and employees, particularly those who bring firearms onto workplace property or store them in private vehicles, who would see changes to restrictions on carrying in parking areas and potential protections against discipline when compliant.

Key Provisions

• Repeals restrictions on carrying or possessing a firearm on certain property or in a motor vehicle and repeals several related sections (e.g., 9-11-304, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74).
• Eliminates the requirement to obtain a concealed pistol permit in order to carry a pistol.
• Amends 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-55, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-75, 13A-11-85, and 13A-11-90 to reflect permitless carry and updated firearm restrictions.
• Revises places where carrying or possessing a firearm is restricted (e.g., police stations, prisons, mental health facilities, courthouses, school/college event venues, professional athletic venues) and clarifies storage and visibility rules in certain locations.
• Maintains or updates standards and recognition related to non-resident firearm carry (reciprocity) and the handling of firearms in vehicles and on property.
• Addresses local funding rules through Amendment 621 by providing exceptions, effectively allowing the bill to become law without new local-entity approval requirements due to the defined changes in crime/regulation.
• Effective date set as the first day of the third month after governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Code