HB462 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to firearms; to prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of an assault weapon or large-capacity magazine under certain circumstances; to provide procedures for registration; 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

HB462 would ban the possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines under certain conditions, require registration, and impose penalties while outlining related rules and exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as an assault weapon and a large-capacity magazine, and prohibits certain transactions and possession. It creates a registration system with fingerprint-based background checks and a possible registration fee, outlines penalties for unlawful sale, transfer, or possession, and sets transitional rules for current owners, bequests, and new residents. It also requires transfer certificates, regulates dealer activities and interstate transfers, and specifies storage/storage-related limits for registered weapons.

Who It Affects

• Private individuals in Alabama who own or may acquire assault weapons or large-capacity magazines; they would need to register, follow possession restrictions, and could face felony penalties for unlawful acts.
• Licensed gun dealers and their employees; they would handle transfers, maintain a database of transfer certificates, conduct background checks, and may display or transfer weapons under specified conditions.

Key Provisions

• Defines assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, including a long list of specific firearms and configurations and a threshold of more than seven rounds for magazines.
• Prohibits possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons or large-capacity magazines under certain circumstances and sets penalties for unlawful acts (Class B felony for unlawful sale/transfer; Class A felony if the recipient is under 18; Class C felony for unlawful possession).
• Establishes a registration system for those who lawfully possess weapons before the act, including required descriptions, fingerprints, background checks, and a registration fee up to $50; imposes a 90-day deadline to relinquish unregistered items and creates a process for bequeathed items.
• Requires transfer certificates when a weapon is sold or transferred to a licensed dealer, and creates a state database maintained by ALEA for these certificates.
• Imposes storage and possession limits for registered weapons (e.g., permissible on residences, certain facilities, ranges, and during transport under certain conditions; prohibits carrying a loaded weapon concealed from public view).
• Outlines transitional rules for people who acquire weapons via bequest, inheritance, or moving into Alabama, including registration or other disposal options within specified timeframes.
• Allows licensed gun dealers to purchase, display, or transfer weapons across state lines under defined rules and permits transfers to gunsmiths for service or repair.
• Contains provisions about the act’s relationship to existing Alabama law and declares the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and 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 in certain circumstances and provide for registration