SB308 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy PriceSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Concealed carry permits, statewide standardized issuance and information management, lifetime carry permits created, firearms prohibited person database created, recreation, appeal process provided, operation by Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Sec. 13A-11-75.1 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-70, 13A-11-75, 22-52-10.1 am'd.

Summary

SB308 creates a statewide, standardized concealed carry permit system, establishes a state firearms prohibited person database, and introduces lifetime permits with new rules for issuing, revoking, and paying for permits.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act to standardize how sheriffs issue permits and creates a state firearms prohibited person database managed by ALEA. Permits and related records can be handled electronically, with a lifetime permit option and new fee structures; permits are valid across the state. The act requires background checks (including NICS and immigration checks for non-citizens) and requires reporting of certain convictions and court orders to the database, while providing an appeals process for denials, revocations, or database listings. It also repeals the previous pistol-permit provision for retired military personnel and adds confidentiality rules for most data, while keeping some public data available.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who want concealed carry permits, including service members and veterans, who may apply for 1-year, 5-year, or lifetime permits and undergo background checks with potential revocation or appeals.
• Law enforcement, sheriffs, ALEA, the Alabama Justice Information Commission, and courts, who will issue permits, maintain and share the state firearms prohibited person database, oversee background checks and reporting, process appeals, and collect and distribute permit fees.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act and a statewide, standardized permit issuance process by sheriffs.
• Establishes a state firearms prohibited person database, linked to the Law Enforcement Tactical System, with reporting from courts and agencies and controlled access for law enforcement.
• Permits may be issued electronically, with electronic renewal/records, and allow payments by debit/credit card; permits are valid across the state.
• Lifetime concealed carry permits are available; fee structure includes $25 for 1-year, $125 for 5-year, and $300 for lifetime, with discounts for seniors (60+ to $150) and exemptions for certain service members and law enforcement; 80% of lifetime permit fees go to the county sheriff and 20% to ALEA, with later restrictions on fund use.
• Background checks include NICS, state/federal databases, and Immigration Alien Queries for non-citizens; moving out of state can end a lifetime permit; service members may have reinstatement options.
• Denials and revocations can be appealed to district court, which must issue a written determination; sheriffs must provide written reasons for denials/revocations.
• Confidential handling of personal permit information; most permit data remains public, with redaction requirements for non-law-enforcement requests and a $1 copy fee for redacted records.
• Domestic violence convictions and other qualifying court orders must be reported to the database; court costs associated with reporting are allocated between sheriffs and reporting courts.
• Repeals 13A-11-75.1 (pistol permits for retired military personnel).
• Effective dates: initial sections take effect immediately; remaining provisions take effect after the database is certified operational.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Firearms