HB513 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Firearms, revise definition of shotgun, Sec. 13A-11-62 am'd.

Summary

HB513 revises Alabama’s firearm definitions by updating the shotgun definition in Section 13A-11-62, with related terms clarified, effective January 1, 2023.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes how firearms are categorized in Alabama law by updating the definitions for shotgun, rifle, and related subtypes. It defines shotgun as a shoulder-fired weapon that uses energy from a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore, delivering either multiple ball projectiles or a single projectile per trigger pull. It also specifies definitions for rifle, short-barreled rifle, and short-barreled shotgun, creating clearer categories for enforcement. The changes take effect January 1, 2023.

Who It Affects

• Gun owners, dealers, and buyers in Alabama who handle shotguns or similar firearms—definitions determine how a weapon is classified and what laws apply.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts in Alabama—will use the updated definitions to interpret and enforce firearm laws.

Key Provisions

• Section 13A-11-62 is amended to define firearm, rifle, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun, and shotgun with updated language.
• The shotgun definition specifies a shoulder-fired weapon that uses energy from a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore, either multiple projectiles or a single projectile per trigger pull, and identifies related terms for classification.
• The act notes the changes build on Act 2022-133 and becomes effective January 1, 2023.

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