Signed by Governor Kay Ivey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes residents that still have gun rights to purchase lifetime concealed carry permits.

Highlights:

• Requires the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to develop, create, maintain and administer a state firearms prohibited person database and subsequently do the following (Sec. 2):

• Send a written notice to the Governor and the Director of the Legislative Services Agency that the database is operational and in compliance with the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act; and  

• Link the database to the state Law Enforcement Tactical System  

• Specifies that the following individuals can apply for the issuance of or renewal of concealed carry permits for the listed periods (Sec. 3):

• An Alabama resident of at least 19 years may apply to the Sheriff of their county of residence for a concealed carry permit issuance or renewal, valid for one year or five; 

• An Alabama resident of at least 18 years and who is a service member may apply to the Sheriff of their county of residence for a concealed carry permit issuance or renewal, valid for one year or five; and 

• An Alabama resident with a valid concealed carry permit may apply to the Sheriff of their county of residence for a lifetime carry permit 

•  Requires sheriffs to do the following before issuing a permit (Sec. 3):

•  Conduct a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and review the state firearms prohibited persons database; 

• Check any other criminal history databases to ensure that the individual’s possession of a firearm would not be a violation of state or federal law; and 

• Perform an Immigrant Alien Query through the U.S Customs and Immigration Services for applicants that are not U.S. citizens

• Requires the Sheriff to issue a permit or reject a permit within 30 days of receiving an application for a permit or its renewal (Sec. 3).

• Specifies the following costs for permits (Sec. 3):

• A one-year permit is $25;

• A five-year permit is $125;

• A lifetime permit is $300;

• A lifetime permit for those 60 or older is $150; and

• Service members will have fees waived for any of the above 

• Requires the Sheriff to conduct a background check at least once every five years for an individual who has been issued a lifetime permit (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text