FROM THE PRATTVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
For those that have been tracking this and have asked, as of January 1st, the State of Alabama no longer requires residents to have to apply for and obtain a concealed carry permit for pistols to be carried on their persons/vehicles. This applies to those persons who are LEGALLY allowed to carry a pistol or handgun (you know who you are if you’re not and for what reason). You can still apply for and obtain a concealed carry permit from the Sheriff’s Office in the county where you reside (not the PD), but it is not required within Alabama anymore.
“Why should I get one then?” Some other states may still require a concealed carry permit (whom may or may not accept a permit from Alabama) while traveling/staying within them (reciprocity), so it is best to do your due diligence in research before traveling so you are aware of those states’ laws. For example, the entire West Coast, Nevada, New Mexico, South Carolina(?), and most of the New England area does not recognize Alabama’s CCP and do not care that we don’t require it here.
HB272 was passed last year and signed by Gov. Ivey, which made many changes to existing law, but what most applies to citizens are summarized as follows:
-No longer required to obtain/carry a permit for carrying concealed on a person/in a vehicle. This applies to all residents ages 18 and over.
-Just because you may be carrying a weapon (openly or concealed) does not automatically mean you are using it in the commission of an offense, however, “brandishing” a weapon in a threatening manner (or appearance of a threatening manner) can be considered a violation under Disorderly Conduct.
-In regards to carrying while on an employer’s property, an employee may store a legally-owned firearm in their vehicle while it is parked on employer premise, given that the employee has secured the firearm as stipulated in the Bill. This does not extend to allow for carry while the employee is on the employer’s property or engaged in the duties of the person’s employment, which is up to the employer to allow or not.
-If you have any contact with a police officer and are carrying concealed (in person or traffic stop), you must inform the officer immediately. Additionally, if you are carrying concealed during a traffic stop (driver or occupant), citizens are prohibited from touching said firearm until the stop is completed or the officer directs you to do so.
-Additionally, an officer may take into custody a firearm that is being carried concealed during an officer contact if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the individual so armed is engaged or about to be in engaged in criminal conduct or necessary for safety reasons during the contact. Also, officers may make a search in any applicable databases while the firearm is in their possession to see if the individual is restricted from having possession of a firearm (DV, certain felons, mental evaluation, court order, etc). The officer must ultimately return the firearm to the individual if they are not an immediate threat or they have not committed a violation that results in the arrest of the individual.
There are other changes not listed here, including clarification of where a concealed weapon may be carried (regarding courts, 2 or 4 year educational facilities, etc.), definitions of a “shotgun”, violations of any concealed carry law is now a Class B misdemeanor, etc. as well, so it may behoove those that may carry concealed to read the bill to know what all the changes are. Be a well-informed citizen and read the bill in it’s entirety, as the “I didn’t know” excuse doesn’t fly in court.
As always, we’re here for you, call us if you should need us.
