If you’ve spent any time at a local range in Birmingham or grabbed a coffee in a small town like Cullman lately, you’ve probably heard the chatter. Folks talk about "Constitutional Carry" like it’s a free-for-all, while others are convinced the state is tightening the screws.
Honestly, the truth about gun laws in Alabama 2025 is somewhere in the middle. It's a mix of some of the most permissive carry rules in the country and a few brand-new, surprisingly sharp restrictions that just hit the books.
Alabama didn't just stay stagnant this year. While we are still a "permitless carry" state, several major legislative shifts occurred in late 2024 and early 2025 that change who can own a gun and what kind of hardware is actually legal to keep in your holster. If you haven't looked at the statutes since 2023, you’re likely out of date.
The Big Shift: SB119 and the New Prohibitors
For a long time, Alabama's "prohibited persons" list was relatively short compared to other states. That changed on October 1, 2025.
Basically, the state expanded the list of people who are legally barred from touching a firearm. It used to be mostly focused on "crimes of violence." Now? If you have a felony conviction—any felony, even non-violent ones or ones from another state—you are prohibited.
This is a massive deal for anyone with an old record. The law also took a hard line on domestic violence. They finally closed the "dating partner loophole." This means if you’re convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor against a dating partner (not just a spouse or cohabitant), your firearm rights are gone.
A Quick Look at the New No-Go List:
- Anyone with any felony conviction (the "five-year" rule for certain non-violent crimes has been largely overshadowed by stricter federal-state alignment).
- People under an active domestic violence protection order.
- Those charged with a "crime of violence" who are currently out on bond awaiting trial.
- Individuals adjudicated as "unsound mind" or involuntarily committed.
The bond part is especially noteworthy. If you’re just charged with a violent crime and waiting for your day in court, Alabama now says you can’t carry. It’s a controversial move, but it’s the law of the land right now.
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Permitless Carry vs. The "Brady Permit"
Yes, you can still carry a concealed handgun in Alabama without a permit if you're 18 or older and not otherwise prohibited. We’ve been a "Constitutional Carry" state since January 2023.
But here’s the kicker most people miss: The permit hasn't gone extinct. In fact, it just got a whole lot more useful.
In May 2025, the ATF officially designated Alabama’s concealed carry permit as a "Brady Permit." What’s that mean for you? If you have a valid Alabama pistol permit issued within the last five years, you can walk into a gun store, pick out a new piece, and skip the NICS background check at the counter.
It speeds things up. A lot.
It also helps with reciprocity. If you cross the state line into Mississippi or Tennessee, you’re usually fine without a permit, but if you’re headed somewhere like Georgia or Florida, having that physical card in your wallet makes the legal "gray area" much smaller.
The Ban on "Glock Switches"
If there is one thing that caught people off guard this year, it’s the crackdown on "auto sears" or "Glock switches."
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Technically, these have been illegal under federal law for ages because they turn a semi-auto pistol into a machine gun. However, Alabama passed its own specific state-level ban in early 2025.
Why does this matter? Because now local cops and state troopers don't have to wait for the feds (ATF) to show up to make an arrest. If a local deputy finds a switch on your firearm during a traffic stop, you’re facing a state felony immediately.
The penalties for discharging a firearm into an "occupied dwelling" also jumped. It went from a Class B to a Class A felony. Basically, the state is saying: carry what you want, but if you use it recklessly or try to bypass NFA rules with cheap switches, they’re coming for you.
Where Can't You Go?
The "where" is just as important as the "what." Even with permitless carry, Alabama has a list of "gun-free zones" that are strictly enforced.
- Police Stations and Jails: This one is obvious. Don't walk into a sheriff's office with a sidearm.
- Courthouses: Most have metal detectors anyway, but the law is very specific here.
- School Athletic Events: You might be able to carry near a school (carefully, following federal 1,000-foot rules), but if there’s a high school football game going on, the facility is off-limits unless you have a specific permit—and even then, it’s risky.
- Mental Health Facilities: Any place providing inpatient psychiatric care is a hard no.
- Private Property: If a business has a "No Guns" sign, they can ask you to leave. If you don't, it’s second-degree criminal trespass.
The "Duty to Inform" Reality
Alabama is technically a "Duty to Inform" state if you are asked.
If a police officer pulls you over and asks if you have a weapon, you have to tell the truth. You don't necessarily have to volunteer the information the second they walk up to the window, but honestly? Most experts suggest you do it anyway.
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Keep your hands on the wheel. Say, "Officer, just so you know, I have a firearm in the vehicle and I am legally carrying." It lowers the tension. In a state with so many legal gun owners, most cops appreciate the heads-up.
What's Next for You?
So, you’re staying legal in Alabama for 2025. What should you actually do?
First, check your record. If you have an old felony that you thought "didn't count" because it wasn't violent, talk to a lawyer. The 2025 updates to SB119 changed the game for thousands of Alabamians.
Second, get the permit anyway. Even though it’s not required, the $25-a-year (or less, depending on the county) is worth it for the NICS exemption alone. Plus, the sheriff’s office background check for the permit is a good way to "verify" you’re in the clear.
Lastly, invest in a good holster. Alabama law requires handguns to be in a holster if they are on your person. Tucking it into your waistband "Mexican carry" style isn't just dangerous—it can get you a "brandishing" or "unlawful carry" charge if it’s not properly secured.
Stay safe, keep your gear legal, and remember that while the state is friendly to gun owners, the "new" Alabama 2025 rules don't have much patience for those who don't keep up with the fine print.
Actionable Steps:
- Verify your eligibility under the new SB119 felony definitions.
- Apply for a 5-year or Lifetime Permit at your local Sheriff's office to take advantage of the Brady Permit status.
- Audit your accessories to ensure you don't have any NFA-violating "switches" or "sears" that are now state-level felonies.
- Review your reciprocity map if you plan on traveling out of state this summer.