Starting tomorrow, Aug. 1, Alabama’s new comprehensive gun law takes effect, which among other things will make the Heart of Dixie a ‘shall issue’ state as opposed to a ‘may issue’ state with respect to concealed carry and will allow law-abiding gun owners to store firearms in their vehicles while they’re at work.
However, there’s way more to it than that and given the fact that there has been so much uncertainty about the new law and how it impacts gun owners, businesses, colleges, universities and the non-gun owning public, below is arguably the best explanation of the new law on the Web, courtesy of local news affiliate WHNT and their interview with Madison County Chief Deputy Chris Stevens.
Of course, Alabama residents can always read the bill itself, Senate Bill 286, or contact their local sheriffs for clarification.
Q&A
Can I openly carry a pistol on public property?
Yes. There is no law preventing you from openly carrying a pistol in Alabama, if you may legally possess a pistol.
Can I be charged with disorderly conduct for openly carrying a pistol?
No. The new law specifically states that you can’t be charged with disorderly conduct for openly carrying a pistol.
§13A-11-7-c. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the mere carrying of a visible pistol, holstered or secured, in a public place, in and of itself, is not a violation of this section.
Can I carry a pistol on someone else’s private property?
If you have a valid concealed weapon permit or if you have the consent of the owner of the property, then yes, you can have a pistol on someone else’s private property.
§13A-11-52. Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person shall carry pistol about his person on private property not his own or under his control unless the person possesses a valid concealed weapon permit or the person has the consent of the owner or legal possessor of the premises…
Can I openly carry a pistol in my car? Can I conceal a gun in my car?
If you are on property you own, such as your back yard or farmland, you may have a pistol in your car, concealed or not. If you are not on your property and you don’t have a concealed weapons permit, you can’t have a loaded pistol in your car at all. If you do have a concealed weapons permit, you can have a pistol in your car.
§13A-11-73. (a) Except on land under his or her control or in his or her own abode or his or her own fixed place of business, no person shall carry a pistol in any vehicle or concealed on or about his or her person, without permit issued under Section 3 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.
Wow! Go Dixie!
I think I will be moving back to the state of sanity, morality, sanctity, and common sense before long. It's a good place to work and hang out, and very business friendly. Join me?
Used to be this sort of thing was the unwritten norm. Every age has it's challenges, but things were better when every man had an assumed right to defend himself and his property, and could arm himself to that end.
It is not trite to say, that an armed society is a polite society.
Who are you going to aggress – the 97-pound weakling in glasses who you know can't resist you, or the 97-pound weakling in glasses who just MAY be packing, and will be fully exonerated if he pulls the trigger on you for assaulting him?
God made everyone. Sam Colt made everyone equal.
As recently as 1994 no permit was needed for concealed carry in Alabama.
I have had a CCW in Alabama for 18 years, and by two County Sheriffs.
I was having to go back every year to renew, a 26 mile round trip I would not normally make.
What a relief to be able to get a 5 year permit.
My permit comes due 1 October, so in November, I'll go get a FIVE year.
I am a bit concerned about the 18 year old can conceal carry. If Trayvon Martin, at 17, is a CHILD, then what is an 18 year old?
AND, 18 year olds can't legally buy firearms OR ammo here, so how can they have a valid CCW?
I think the Legislature missed that one.
whoops, I meant SEPTEMBER, not November.