Permits to carry a concealed weapon in the State of Alabama are issued by the Sheriff’s Office to persons over the age of 18.  In order to obtain a permit or renew an expired permit, you must come to the Sheriff's Office or renew by our mail-in program. The Sheriff’s Office is required to run a criminal history and receive an application on all persons requesting a pistol permit. 

Facts about the New Gun Bill Act 2013-283 effective August 1, 2013

  • Persons applying for a new pistol permit must complete an application
  • The Sheriff must do a complete background check
  • The Sheriff can deny a permit based on knowledge the Sheriff has based on the history of the applicant.
  • If the Sheriff has knowledge otherwise and/or background check reflects no reason(s), the Sheriff shall issue a permit within 30 days
  • Applicant may select the number of years he or she wants the permit to be valid – from 1 year to 5 years
  • Pistol Permit Prices
    • Ages 18 to 64
      • 1 Year  - $25.00
      • 2 Years - $50.00
      • 3 Years - $75.00
      • 4 Years - $100.00
      • 5 Years - $125.00
    • Ages 65+
      • 1 Year -  $15.00
      • 2 Years - $30.00
      • 3 Years - $45.00
      • 4 Years - $60.00
      • 5 Years - $75.00
  • Permits are unrestricted
  • The permit is issued to carry a handgun concealed on a person or in a vehicle.
  • An employee may have a lawfully possessed firearm in their private vehicle, while parked or operated in a public or private parking area if they satisfy the following: 
    • valid concealed weapon permit,
    • rifle or shotgun legal for hunting in Alabama
    • valid hunting license
    • weapon must be unloaded at all times on the property
    • It is during a season in which hunting is permitted
  • A person may not carry a handgun on property not his own without permission of the owner or if posted as a “No Gun Zone”
  • A person may carry a handgun in a holster, secured to his/her body, exposed without a permit. 
  • No one, even someone with a valid pistol permit, may carry a pistol inside or on the premises of the following areas:
    • Police Departments
    • Sheriff’s Office
    • Highway Patrol Stations
    • Prison
    • Jail
    • Halfway House
    • Community Corrections Facility 
    • Other Detention Facilities
    • A facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders
    • Courthouse
    • Courthouse Annex
    • Building where District Attorney’s Office is located
    • Building in which a County Commission or City Council is meeting
    • Inside any facility hosting an athletic event not related to or involving firearms
    • Inside any facility hosting a professional athletic event not related to or involving firearms
  • Reciprocal Law did not change; see the chart below, it shows which states will recognize Alabama’s pistol permit. www.ago.state.al.us

ALABAMA RECIPROCAL PISTOL PERMIT (CONCEALED CARRY) AGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING STATES:

  1. Alabama
  2. Arizona
  3. Arkansas
  4. Colorado
  5.  Florida
  6. Georgia
  7. Idaho
  8.  Indiana
  9. Iowa 
  10. Kansas
  11. Kentucky
  12.  Louisiana
  13. Michigan
  14. Mississippi
  15. Missouri
  16. New Hampshire
  17. North Carolina