Signed by Governor Robert Bentley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends firearm regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a public or private employer from restricting the transportation or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee’s privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in the parking area if the employee meets the following requirements (Secs. 4 & 6).
• The motor vehicle is parked or operated in the location where it is otherwise permitted to be; and
• The firearm is kept from ordinary observation while the employee is in the motor vehicle or the firearm is kept from ordinary observation and locked within interior of the employee’s vehicle or a container securely affixed to the motor vehicle. 

• Authorizes a public or private employer to restrict or prohibit its employees from carrying firearms on the employer’s property or while the employee is performing his or her employment duties (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits a public or private employer from inquiring or requiring an employee to disclose whether the employee is transporting or has stored a firearm in his or her privately owned motor vehicle (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that a business entity is not legally liable for the actions of an employee acting outside the scope of his or her employment (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes the owner of a property that is open to the public to restrict or prohibit an individual who is in possession of or carrying a pistol, if a notice of the prohibition is prominently posted at any public entrance to the property (Sec. 6).

• Requires the county sheriff to perform 1 of the following actions within 30 days from the receipt of an application for a license to carry a concealed pistol or an application for a lifetime vehicle-only permit (Sec. 2):
• Issue or renew the applicant’s license or permit; or
• Provide a written statement and evidence for the reasons for denial, unless the disclosure would interfere with a criminal investigation or the applicant is prohibited by the state or United States from possessing or obtaining a firearm. 

• Authorizes the county sheriff to deny or revoke a license to carry a concealed pistol or lifetime vehicle-only permit based on the “reasonable suspicion” that the applicant will use the weapon unlawfully or endanger the applicant’s self or other individuals (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an applicant to appeal the denial or revocation of a license to carry a concealed pistol or a lifetime vehicle-only permit to the district court and requires all filing fees for this action to be waived (Sec. 2).

• Requires the county sheriff to have the burden of proving by “clear and convincing” evidence that there is credible risk that the applicant would use a weapon unlawfully or in a manner that would endanger the applicant’s or other individuals’ lives, if an applicant appeals a denial or revocation to the district court (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the applicant of a license to carry a concealed pistol to select the expiration date between 1 and 5 years from the date of issue, whereas existing law limited the expiration date to no more than 1 year from the date of issue (Sec. 2).

• Requires the county sheriff to check the National Instant Criminal Background Check System prior to issuing or renewing a concealed pistol permit (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an individual from carrying a pistol in the following circumstances, unless the individual is on his or her own land or in his or her own home or business (Sec. 2):
• In a vehicle without a concealed pistol permit or a lifetime vehicle-only permit; and
• Concealed on an individual without a concealed pistol permit.

• Specifies that the carrying of a visible, holstered firearm in a public place is not a crime of disorderly conduct (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text