HB23 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kenyatte HassellRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Firearms, to require permit to carry assault weapons in vehicles or on one's person or to acquire such.

Summary

HB23 would require a permit to carry or purchase assault weapons in Alabama, with limited exceptions and penalties.

What This Bill Does

Would require a person to hold an assault weapon permit to carry or buy an assault weapon. Permits would be issued by the county sheriff using the same process and fees as Concealed Carry permits, with several exceptions for law enforcement, federally licensed individuals, and people on property they control. Violations would be Class C felonies, and there is a 90-day grace period to apply for a permit after bequests. The act takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Residents who want to carry an assault weapon in a vehicle or on their person would need an assault weapon permit.
• People who want to purchase or otherwise acquire an assault weapon would need a valid permit, with a 90-day grace period after inheritance or bequest.
• County sheriffs, who would issue or renew assault weapon permits using the same framework as concealed carry permits and collect similar fees.
• Law enforcement officers, individuals with a federal firearm license, and people on land they control or in their residence or fixed business are exempt from the permit requirements.
• Violations would result in Class C felony penalties.

Key Provisions

• Assault weapon is defined to include certain semiautomatic rifles, pistols, shotguns, and related features (e.g., detachable magazines, certain grips or stocks, flash suppressors, conversion kits), with an explicit exclusion for antique firearms.
• Carry or purchase of an assault weapon requires an assault weapon permit.
• Permits are issued or renewed by the county sheriff following the same procedures and fees as concealed carry permits.
• Exceptions are provided for law enforcement in official capacity, individuals with a federal firearm license, and people on land they control, in their residence, or in their fixed place of business.
• Bequest or intestate acquisition of an assault weapon grants a 90-day grace period to apply for a permit.
• Violation of permit requirements is a Class C felony, and the act becomes effective October 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