HB206 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mary MooreRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Assault weapons; possession and transfer prohibited subject to exemptions, actions taken by persons maintaining possession required.

Summary

HB206 would ban the possession, sale, and transfer of assault weapons in Alabama, create exemptions and a process for people who already have them to act, and establish penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as an assault weapon, prohibits its sale, transfer, and possession unless exempt, and sets penalties for violations. Beginning June 1, 2026, no one may possess an assault weapon, with limited exceptions for those who have completed required actions. It requires people who lawfully possessed an assault weapon before June 1, 2025 to take actions by June 1, 2026 (register, render inoperable, sell to a licensed dealer, or remove from the state), imposes background checks and potential fees for registration, and creates a transfer certificate system for dealers with a state database.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who currently own or may come to own an assault weapon, who would need to take one of the required actions by mid-2026 or face legal consequences.
• Licensed gun dealers, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Corrections, and state or federal military or naval forces, who would handle transfers, issue certificates of transfer, and maintain records in a state database.

Key Provisions

• Assault weapons are defined and a long list of specific models and features is included to determine what counts as an assault weapon.
• Sale, transfer, or possession of an assault weapon is prohibited unless exempted; exemptions include transfers to licensed gun dealers, law enforcement, or bequests, among others.
• Starting June 1, 2026, possession of an assault weapon is generally illegal, with exceptions for those who have completed one of the required actions and are in compliance with the law.
• If a person lawfully possessed an assault weapon before June 1, 2025, they must by June 1, 2026 either register the weapon, render it inoperable, sell it to a licensed dealer, or remove it from the state; a 90-day grace period is provided for certain bequests and estates.
• Registration requirements include fingerprints, background checks, and a possible registration fee up to $50; the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency will maintain a database and issue a certificate and transfer process for dealers.
• Licensed gun dealers must issue a certificate of transfer when selling or transferring an assault weapon and provide information to ALEA; ALEA maintains a records database and may require additional information.
• Possession of a registered assault weapon is restricted to specific places (home, business, licensed ranges, shooting clubs, and certain exhibitions) and certain transportation rules apply; carrying a loaded weapon concealed from public view is prohibited.
• Manufacturing of assault weapons in Alabama is permitted under the act, subject to the same rules on possession and transfer.
• The act specifies the effective date of June 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses; Firearms