SB170 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Firearms, Gun Violence Protective Order Act, procedure for issuance of gun violence protective order, established

Summary

SB170 creates a Gun Violence Protective Order process that can temporarily or for up to a year bar a person who poses an immediate danger from owning firearms and requires surrender of guns.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes courts to issue ex parte and one-year gun violence protective orders if the court finds an individual poses an immediate and present danger of causing injury. When such an order is issued, the respondent must surrender all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement. It provides for renewal or early termination of a one-year order based on evidence of continued danger and includes criminal penalties for violations. It also sets hearing timelines, enforcement procedures, and reporting requirements to state and federal systems.

Who It Affects

• Respondents subject to gun violence protective orders, who would be required to surrender firearms and ammunition and could face penalties for violations, with orders that can be ex parte, followed by a court hearing and potential renewal.
• Petitioners, including law enforcement officers, teachers, and family members who file for the orders, who must provide grounds and notice, may seek ex parte relief, and rely on court procedures to protect others.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Gun Violence Protective Order Act and defines key terms (ex parte order, one-year order, petitioner, respondent, firearm, etc.).
• Authorizes ex parte gun violence protective orders and one-year gun violence protective orders when the respondent poses an immediate danger to self or others.
• Requires the respondent to surrender all firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement upon issuance of the orders.
• Provides for renewal or early termination of a one-year order based on a hearing and evidence of continued substantial danger.
• Imposes penalties for violations, including a Class C misdemeanor for knowingly violating the order or possessing firearms while prohibited, with a five-year prohibition on firearm ownership after conviction.
• Outlines petition and notice procedures, including service of orders and hearings within 14 days for one-year orders, and special notice requirements to adult family members.
• Gives law enforcement authority to search for and seize surrendered firearms, issue receipts, and store or dispose of firearms according to defined timelines and fees.
• Allows for warrants if there is probable cause that a respondent still possesses a firearm despite the order.
• Requires ALEA to be notified within one business day of orders and to input order information into a state database and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
• Protects health information in petitions, provides public aggregate data, and does not create civil or criminal liability for not seeking an order.
• Effective date is 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

Firearms