HB216 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Russell BedsoleRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Firearms; firearm hold agreements defined; civil immunity therefrom provided
Summary: HB216 creates a framework for firearm hold agreements between licensed firearm dealers or law enforcement officers and firearm owners and provides civil immunity to those parties when acting under such agreements.
What This Bill Does
It defines what a firearm hold agreement is and recognizes private transactions where a licensee holds a firearm for a set period at the owner's request and then returns it. It grants civil immunity to federal firearms licensees and to municipal or county law enforcement officers who enter into and lawfully carry out these hold agreements. It also limits immunity by excluding unlawful conduct and firearm transfers that violate Alabama law, and it says private action against licensees for returning the firearm is not allowed. The act becomes effective on June 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Federal firearms licensees and municipal or county law enforcement officers in Alabama, who may enter into firearm hold agreements and receive civil immunity for lawful actions under those agreements.
Individual firearm owners who may request to have their lawful firearms held by a licensed dealer or law enforcement officer for a specified period and then returned.

Key Provisions
Known as the Houston/Hunter Act.
Defines terms: Federal Firearms Licensee, Firearm, and Firearm Hold Agreement (possession taken at owner's request, held for a period, then returned).
Private action against a licensee for returning a firearm at the end of a hold agreement is not allowed if the licensee acts lawfully.
Civil immunity for FFLs and LE officers who enter into and carry out firearm hold agreements lawfully; immunity does not apply to actions arising from unlawful conduct by the licensee.
Not apply to firearm transfers made in violation of Title 13A or Chapter 27 of Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975.
Effective date: 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: Firearms