HB400 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Juandalynn GivanRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to assault weapons; to prohibit the sale or delivery of an assault weapon to any person under 18 years of age; to prohibit any person under 18 years of age from possessing an assault weapon; to provide penalties for violations; 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

HB400 would ban sale or transfer of assault weapons to anyone under 18 and bar possession by anyone under 18, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit the sale or transfer of assault weapons to people under 18 and forbid under-18 possession of assault weapons. Violations would carry a Class B felony for selling or transferring to a minor and a Class C felony for under-18 possession. The bill also defines what counts as an assault weapon and related terms, and states the measure is exempt from certain local-funding rules because it creates a new crime; it becomes law on a specified date after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• People under 18 years old would be barred from possessing assault weapons.
• Sellers or anyone who delivers an assault weapon to someone under 18 would face a Class B felony for the wrongdoing.

Key Provisions

• Defines assault weapon and related terms (including features that categorize a rifle, pistol, or shotgun as an assault weapon, capacity limits, and related accessories).
• Prohibits sale or transfer of an assault weapon to a person under 18; such sale or transfer is a Class B felony.
• Prohibits possession of an assault weapon by a person under 18; such possession is a Class C felony.
• Penalties for violations are in addition to other penalties under law.
• The bill is exempt from the local-funds expenditure requirement under Section 111.05 because it creates a new crime; it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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

Assault weapons, to prohibit possession and transfer under certain circumstances