The Alabama legislature passed & Gov Bentley has signed SB286 - the "Omnibus Gun Rights Bill".
View SB286
1.) More explicitly clarifies that openly (visibly) carrying (OC) a firearm in Alabama is not a crime. Specifically, it explicitly states that OC in and of itself does not justify a charge of disorderly conduct.
2.) Make Alabama a "Shall Issue" concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit state. Sheriffs must issue a CCW permit to any citizen unless they have somewhat specific evidence as to why they shouldn't. Sheriffs must provide a reason for their decision to deny a permit. Under our current "May Issue" laws, sheriffs can deny a CCW permit for any or no reason at all, without explanation. (Tidbit: Our "May issue" law, just like our "No firearms at demonstrations law" is an anachronism from Alabama's days of institutionalized racism.)
3.) Set up an appeals process to handle any denial, revocation, or suspension of a CCW permit.
4.) Requires that the sheriff issue (or deny the issuance of) a CCW permit within 30 days of application.
5.) Requires the sheriff to use the NICS background check system to verify eligibility of anyone wishing to obtain CCW permit.
6.) Requires the sheriff to issue permits for up to five years. Under current laws, CCW permits expire yearly.
8.) Requires sheriffs perform specific background checks on non US citizens prior to issuing a CCW permit to them, and disallows the issuance of a CCW to anyone here illegally.
9.) Makes it illegal for a public or private employer to restrict or prohibit the transportation or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee’s privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in a public or private parking area if the employee satisfies a number of conditions, but makes it legal for a public or private employer to restrict or prohibit the carrying firearms while on the employer's property.
10.) Sets up the following "gun free" zones (unless permission is given):
A.) Inside the building of a police, sheriff, or highway patrol station.
B.) Inside or on the premises of a prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility, or other detention facility for those who have been charged with or convicted of a criminal or juvenile offense.
C.) Inside or on the premises of a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.
D.) Inside a courthouse, courthouse annex, a building in which a District Attorney's office is located, or a building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a regularly scheduled or specially called meeting.
E.) Inside any facility hosting an athletic event not related to or involving firearms which is sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school or any private or public institution of postsecondary education, unless the person has a CCW permit.
F.) Inside any facility hosting a professional athletic event not related to or involving firearms, unless the person has a CCW permit.
G.) Inside any 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, including, but not limited to, magnetometers, key cards, biometric screening devices, or turnstiles or other physical barriers.
11.) Clarifies that it is illegal for any town, city, municipality, or any other state organization to make laws relating to firearms or related objects. Only the Alabama state legislature can make the rules, local firearms ordinances are illegal under Alabama state laws.