HB266 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Assault weapons, to prohibit possession and transfer in certain circumstances, provide for registration

Summary

HB266 would ban possession, sale, or transfer of listed assault weapons under certain conditions, require registration with background checks, and set penalties, while giving limited exemptions and a grandfather clause for current owners.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as an assault weapon and prohibits possession, sale, or transfer in specified situations, while creating a registration process with fingerprints and a background check. Owners who had an assault weapon before October 1, 2024 must register by April 1, 2025 (or take approved steps to relinquish or transfer), and new possession would be restricted. It imposes criminal penalties for violations (Class B felony for unlawful sale/transfer, Class A felony if to a minor; Class C felony for unlawful possession or failure to register) and requires a transfer certificate and a state database, with a possible $50 registration fee and rules for dealers, gun shows, and gunsmith transfers. The bill is intended to be exempt from the local-fund expenditure rule because it creates new crimes.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who own or may own assault weapons in Alabama would face requirements to register, limits on where they can possess them, and potential criminal penalties for noncompliance or improper transfers.
• Licensed gun dealers and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (and other law enforcement) would handle registrations, background checks, issue certificates of transfer, maintain a weapon-ownership database, and enforce the rules.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: Clarifies antique firearms, assault weapons (with a detailed list of included rifles, pistols, shotguns and features), dealers, firearms, magazines, person, pistol, rifle, sale/transfer, and transfer.
• Unlawful sale or transfer: Making it a Class B felony to knowingly sell or transfer an assault weapon; a Class A felony if the recipient is under 18; with exemptions for law enforcement, estates, and bequests.
• Unlawful possession: Making it a Class C felony to possess an assault weapon unlawfully; exemptions for law enforcement and certain preexisting scenarios related to ownership and compliance.
• Registration (Section 4): Requires registration for those who possessed an assault weapon before Oct 1, 2024 by Apr 1, 2025 (or other conditions for military members returning to the state); includes fingerprints, owner information, and other data; involves a background check; up to a $50 fee; ASLEA to adopt registration procedures by Apr 1, 2025.
• Certificates of transfer (Section 7): When selling to a licensed gun dealer, the seller must complete and send a transfer certificate to ASLEA with specific details about the parties and weapon.
• Database and compliance (Section 7): ASLEA will maintain a database of certificates of transfer for law enforcement access.
• Post-ownership restrictions (Section 5 & 6): After Apr 1, 2025, assault weapons may not be sold or transferred to non-licensed individuals within Alabama; if a new owner obtains one via inheritance, they must register or otherwise dispose of it; registered weapons may only be possessed in approved locations and under specified conditions (e.g., ranges, clubs, educational events). Prohibits carrying loaded concealed assault weapons; requires locking or trunk storage.
• Transfers and movement (Sections 8 & 9): Licensed dealers may transport assault weapons for resale and display at gun shows; transfers to gunsmiths are allowed under specific conditions.
• Relocation and disposal options (Section 5): New residents with assault weapons must comply within 90 days (register, relinquish, sell to dealer, or remove from state).
• Effective date and exemptions (Section 11 & Section 10): The act takes effect October 1, 2024; it is exempt from the Section 111.05 local-funds requirement because it 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