SB40 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Keith KelleySenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Firearms; firearm hold agreements defined; civil immunity therefrom provided
Summary: The bill creates firearm hold agreements between a licensed dealer or local law enforcement and a gun owner, and grants civil immunity to those parties if the hold is done lawfully.
What This Bill Does
It defines key terms like federal firearms licensee (FFL), firearm, and firearm hold agreement, which is a private deal where the licensee takes possession of a lawfully owned firearm, holds it for a set time, and returns it. It allows FFLs or municipal/county law enforcement to enter into such hold agreements with gun owners. It provides civil immunity from liability for those who enter into and carry out lawful firearm hold agreements, with exceptions for unlawful conduct. It clarifies that immunity does not apply to transfers that violate Alabama law (Title 13A or Chapter 27 Title 41).

Who It Affects
Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and municipal or county law enforcement officers who enter into and carry out firearm hold agreements with gun owners, and are immune from civil liability if the hold is lawful.
Individual firearm owners who request a firearm hold and have their firearm held for a specified period by an FFL or law enforcement officer.

Key Provisions
Section names the act as the Houston/Hunter Act and defines key terms: Federal Firearms Licensee, Firearm, and Firearm Hold Agreement.
Defines a Firearm Hold Agreement as a private transaction where the licensee takes possession of the owner’s firearm at the owner’s request, holds it for a specified period, and returns it.
Provides civil immunity from private civil liability for an FFL or municipal/county law enforcement officer who enters into and conducts a lawful firearm hold agreement.
States that immunity does not apply to actions arising from unlawful conduct by the licensee.
Excludes immunity for firearm transfers made in violation of Title 13A or Chapter 27 of Title 41, Alabama Code.
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