Alabama Permits

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ArmedSkeptic

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2008
Messages
4
Location
Central Virginia
So I have a recruiter pushing me to take a job in Chattanooga. I see that it is near the border with Alabama, so Alabama might be a viable choice on where to live..

Except I see that Alabama is a "May Issue" permit state. I certainly didn't expect Alabama to be a gun unfriendly place! Last thing I need is to move to a place like Maryland, but according to the map anyhow, the two states are in the same category.

So, how hard is it to get a permit there?
 
In limestone county (at the Tennessee line):

1) Go to the county jail.
2) Pay the secretary $15
3) Receive your printed permit and go home (or wherever you want w/ a concealed gun).
 
Don't worry about getting a permit here. No Sherrif will stay in office that doesn't issue permits to deserving citizens. Technically, we are a may issue state. The reality, however, is the NRA lists Alabama among the shall issue states (or at least used to) because of the ease with which you can get a permit.
Here in Colbert County, fill out the application and they will call or write when you can pick up your permit, usually less than two weeks. Only costs $5.00/yr.
If your commuting to the Chattanooga area, you'll probably end up in Jackson or Marshall counties, I wouldn't expect any problems in either county.
Some Sherrifs require that you be a resident for a minimum time and it can vary from county to county, IIRC.

Jay

PS: We have reciprocity with all of the bordering states, and others, but Tennessee requires you to get one of their non resident licenses if you work in Tennessee. If you don't work in Tennessee, they just honor your Alabama license, go figure.
 
Here in Morgan County, $20.00 yearly.

You fill out a form with basic info.
Where it said "reason for carry," I just put "PROTECTION" and there was no problem. In Morgan you get photographed like you do for a driver license and a plastic credit card size CCW permit, same size as driver's license.
 
Tennessee carry...

Be aware, that Tennessee does have a restriction on recognition of Alabama
permits, that being that if you work in TN:

"any Alabama citizen who works in Tennessee on a "regular basis," (i.e. for over 30 hours per week for over 6 months) after July 1, 2003 will only be able to carry a handgun in the state of Tennessee for six months before being required to apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit. On or before, the last day of that six (6) month period of employment on a "regular basis," the Alabama resident must apply for a Tennessee handgun carry permit. The resident of Alabama, with a valid Alabama concealed handgun license, who works in Tennessee and has applied for a Tennessee handgun carry permit, may continue to carry his handgun by virtue of his Alabama concealed handgun license, until he or she is denied a Tennessee handgun carry permit." This info from the AL Attorney General's page. It also says it will be difficult to get a non-resident TN permit, although on that point, I seem to recall reading elsewhere it wasn't too bad (class req'd, ...). Any experience out there on this?
 
TN non-resident

Just looked, TN safety website lists requirements for AL resident to get
non-resident permit:

'Applicant must be twenty-one (21), take a DOS approved handgun safety course, complete the Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit application, provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency, pay one hundred and fifteen dollar ($115.00) fee, and be fingerprinted.'

Some site's say this is only for those working in TN. I don't know.

You can look up combined reciprocity on www.handgunlaw.us, www.usacarry.com, or www.carryconcealed.net, among others.
 
Blount County AL...

requires you to be able to fog a mirror (lol) and have a $10.00 bill in your possession. They do an instant criminal history check and give you the permit then and there. As long as you are not a criminal, alcoholic,or drug addict you will recieve a permit.
oc71
 
Alabama cops are lazy; they prefer to have the citizens shoot the bad guys, leaving them with just the paperwork. :D

In all seriousness, AL is as close to shall-issue as a may-issue state can get. Jefferson county (home of relatively liberal B'ham) is one of the more difficult places to get a permit, as you must supply three character references. Get three signatures and $7.50, and you're bona fide. Well... in about ten days you're bona fide. You just have to manage not to get assaulted for ten days. :rolleyes:
 
Alabama cops are lazy; they prefer to have the citizens shoot the bad guys, leaving them with just the paperwork.
Click to expand...

That is not lazy, that is what we in TN call, working SMARTER, not HARDER! Gives me a greater respect for LEOs in AL!
 
In my county the first time you get a permit you fill out the paperwork (1 minute or so), they copy your driver's license (if I remember correctly), then you wait until the next day to pick it up. After that, they renew (annual renewal) it while you wait (few minutes). They even send you a nice post card in the mail to remind you that it is getting close to the time for renewal.
 
In limestone county (at the Tennessee line):

1) Go to the county jail.
2) Pay the secretary $15
3) Receive your printed permit and go home (or wherever you want w/ a concealed gun).
Click to expand...
That was my wife's and my experience with Limestone County as well. Took us a total of 15 minutes and that was because there were two people in line in front of us.
 
You shouldn't have any problems as long as you are not a criminal and are over 21.

If you are under 21 you may run into some problems. Technically age isn't a valid reason to deny a permit (as long as you are 18 or over), but some counties still won't issue until you are 21. You'd need a pretty penny and a great lawyer in that case.

Also, don't expect to carry unconcealed (it's legal in Alabama) without harassment from the police and/or having your permit revoked (since it's at the Sheriff's whim unless you sue him).

AL is essentially a shall issue state. Even the Attorney General has advised Sheriffs that they must issue permits in 'appropriate circumstances'.

I will say that I had some problems getting a permit. Where I originally lived the Sheriff flat-out refused to issue me a permit until I turned 21. It would have taken longer to take a case through the courts than wait 'till my b-day (I had a case all prepared too...), so I decided to just deal with it. I recently moved and applied at the local Sheriff's office. My application was approved within 2-3 days but the clerk wouldn't give me a permit since I wasn't 21 (yeah... approved app but then they wouldn't give me the permit!). I wrote a letter to the Sheriff and he called me back within a day or two and approved my permit. Not the worst experience I guess!

Alabama is a great state for carrying. There are essentially no restricted areas except for state parks (and federal restrictions). Oh, and don't carry at a political rally. The usual Jim Crow no 'public gathering' restriction is still on the books. It doesn't apply to sports games or anything like that. Many police think it does, but read the definition of 'Public Gathering' in the code for yourself. I don't even think it's illegal to carry while intoxicated, but I don't recommend it even if it's legal!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top