Alabama prohibits any person from possessing a firearm while participating in or attending any demonstration held at a public place. 1 It is also unlawful for any person to possess a firearm within 1,000 feet of a demonstration at a public place, after having been ordered by a law enforcement officer to remove himself or herself from the proscribed area. 2
Alabama prohibits the carrying of a handgun on private property that is not owned or under the control of the possessor unless the person carries the handgun pursuant to a valid concealed handgun license or has the consent of the property owner. 3 The possession of a firearm within any wildlife management area without a valid permit allowing this privilege is also prohibited. 4
People, including individuals with concealed handgun licenses, are prohibited from possessing firearms without the express permission of the person having authority over the premises in:
- A jail, prison or other certain other corrections facilities;
- A facility providing inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders;
- A building where a county commission or city council is currently having a meeting 5 ; or
- Private property, unless the person possesses a valid concealed weapon permit 6
People are prohibited from possessing firearms at the following locations unless (1) the person has the permission of someone having authority over the premises or (2) the firearms are kept from ordinary observation and locked within a compartment or in the interior of the person’s vehicle or in a compartment or container securely affixed to the vehicle:
- A police, sheriff or highway patrol station, except that a person may possess a firearm on the property of a sheriff’s office that issues concealed carry permits and the handgun remains inside of a locked vehicle at all times while the person is on the premises;
- A courthouse, courthouse annex under certain circumstances, or building in which a District Attorney’s office is located;
- The primary office of any elected official;
- A facility hosting an athletic event sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school, or any private or public postsecondary education institution. Concealed handgun license holders, however, may carry on the premises with permission by the owner or person in charge;
- A facility hosting a professional athletic event. Concealed handgun license holders, however, may carry on the premises with permission by the owner or person in charge; or
- A building or facility to which access of unauthorized persons and prohibited articles is limited during normal hours of operation by the continuous posting of guards and the use of other security features. 7
Additionally, in 2011, both houses of the state legislature adopted a resolution prohibiting individuals—including concealed handgun license holders—from possessing a firearm at the Alabama State House. 8
Alabama has no statutes prohibiting firearms in the following places, although administrative regulations may apply:
- Hospitals;
- Places of worship;
- Bars or restaurants where alcohol is served;
- Gambling facilities; or
- Polling places.
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- Ala. Code § 13A-11-59(b). [ ↩ ]
- Ala. Code § 13A-11-59(c). [ ↩ ]
- Ala. Code § 13A-11-52. [ ↩ ]
- Ala. Code § 9-11-304. [ ↩ ]
- Ala. Code § 13A-11-61.2. [ ↩ ]
- Ala. Code § 13A-11-52. [ ↩ ]
- Id. [ ↩ ]
- 2011 AL OHJR 9 [ ↩ ]
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