HB460 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Public safety, firearms, to prevent certain offenders from owning a firearm, penalties, Sec. 13A-11-72.1 added; Secs. 13A-11-70, 13A11-72, 13A-11-84 am'd.

Summary

HB460 tightens Alabama gun laws by adding a new provision that bans firearm possession during certain violent crimes and imposes harsher penalties, along with related updates to existing gun laws.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new provision (13A-11-72.1) that bans possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, a violent offense, or a sex offense, with escalating penalties. It sets minimum prison terms depending on circumstances (from 5 years up to 30 years, with higher penalties for brandishing, discharging, or certain weapon types, and life for some second or subsequent offenses) and requires sentences to run consecutively with no probation, community corrections, or other early-release options. It also expands firearm ownership prohibitions and related procedures in existing sections (13A-11-72 and 13A-11-84) and notes the bill is exempt from certain local funding approval requirements under constitutional exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Individuals previously convicted of a crime of violence, a violent offense, or a sex offense; those subject to a valid protection order for domestic violence; and individuals deemed unsound mind, who would be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under the amended rules.
• Offenders who possess a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, violent offense, or sex offense, who would face specified minimum sentences and would be ineligible for probation, community corrections, split sentences, early release programs, or other time-reducing measures.

Key Provisions

• Adds §13A-11-72.1 to prohibit possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, a violent offense, or a sex offense, with escalating penalties.
• Penalties for §13A-11-72.1 include: at least 5 years (base), 7 years if the firearm is brandished, 10 years if the firearm is discharged, 10 years for possession of certain weapons (short-barreled rifle/shotgun/semiautomatic assault weapon), 30 years for fully automatic weapons or silencers, and 25 years to life for second/subsequent violations depending on weapon.
• Sentences under §13A-11-72.1 run consecutively to other terms and remove eligibility for probation, community corrections, split sentences, good time, and other time-reducing programs.
• Expands firearm ownership prohibitions under §13A-11-72 to include convictions for crimes of violence or violent offenses, misdemeanor domestic violence, being subject to a protection order, or having an unsound mind, with defined conditions for enforcement.
• Addresses seizure and forfeiture of pistols and related procedures ( §13A-11-84 ) when offenses are charged or convictions occur, including court processes for condemnation and destruction of seized firearms.
• Notes the act is exempt from certain local expenditure requirements under constitutional amendments because it creates or defines new crimes or amends existing ones.

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

Subjects

Firearms