HB386 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip EnslerRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to firearms; to prohibit persons from possessing or selling a firearm that does not have a serial number as required by federal law; to provide a penalty for violation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB386 would ban possessing or selling firearms without serial numbers and require serial numbers on firearms, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It makes it unlawful to sell, transfer, own, or possess a firearm that does not have a serial number conforming to federal law. It requires unserialized firearms already in possession to be assigned a serial number within 90 days by a licensed federal firearms manufacturer, importer, or dealer, and requires firearms manufactured after the act to receive a serial number within 90 days of building. Violations would be classified as a Class C felony, and there are exemptions for antique firearms or guns manufactured before 1968 and for federally licensed manufacturers, importers, or dealers. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage, and the bill notes it is exempt from certain local-funding rules because it creates a new crime.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who own or may possess firearms—if they have unserialized guns, they could face a Class C felony for possession or sale.
• Federally licensed firearm manufacturers, importers, and dealers—these entities would be responsible for placing serial numbers on unserialized firearms within 90 days and for serializing firearms they manufacture after the act.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits selling, transferring, owning, or possessing a firearm that does not have a serial number under federal law.
• Requires unserialized firearms in possession on the effective date to be serial-numbered within 90 days by a licensed federal firearms manufacturer, importer, or dealer; and requires firearms built after the act to be serial-numbered within 90 days of construction.
• Violations are a Class C felony.
• Exempts antique firearms and firearms manufactured before October 22, 1968, as well as federally licensed manufacturers, importers, or dealers from certain requirements.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage; the bill notes an exemption from local-funds consent under Section 111.05 because it creates a new crime.

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, to provide possession of unserialized firearms