Alabama state law allows any person 19 years old and over to obtain a concealed carry permit. However, you can obtain a license to carry concealed firearm at the age of 18 if you are an emancipated minor.

Applicants must submit a form to their local county Sheriff’s office, and pay the applicable fee. There is no competency training requirement to obtain an Alabama concealed carry license. Although the fee will vary, it is generally accepted as $20 per year. A license is valid for up to 5 years. The state of Alabama does not issue non-resident permits, and is accepted by 32 other states.

This information was last updated in April 2020.

Reciprocity Map for Alabama

Use the tabs below to display states that will accept an Alabama concealed carry permit or those states that Alabama will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.

Map Legend

Red: Active State

Green: States that honor the active states concealed carry permits

Yellow: Conditional acceptance of active states concealed carry permits

Grey: Does not accept active state concealed carry permit.

See lists below for terms of conditional acceptance

Map Legend

Red: Active State

Green: Active state honors concealed carry permits

Yellow: Conditional acceptance of concealed permits by the active state

Grey: Concealed carry permits not accepted by active state

See lists below for terms of conditional acceptance

States That Honor Alabama Concealed Carry
  1. Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  2. Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  3. Arkansas
  4. Colorado – Resident Permit ONLY
  5. Florida – Resident Permit ONLY
  6. Georgia
  7. Idaho
  8. Indiana
  9. Iowa
  10. Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  11. Kentucky
  12. Louisiana
  13. Maine
  14. Michigan
  15. Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  16. Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
  17. Montana
  18. New Hampshire
  19. North Carolina
  20. North Dakota
  21. Ohio
  22. Oklahoma
  23. Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY
  24. South Dakota
  25. Tennessee
  26. Texas
  27. Utah
  28. Vermont
  29. Virginia
  30. West Virginia
  31. Wisconsin
  32. Wyoming
Alabama Will Honor The Following States
  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California
  6. Colorado
  7. Connecticut
  8. Delaware
  9. Florida
  10. Georgia
  11. Hawaii
  12. Idaho
  13. Illinois
  14. Indiana
  15. Iowa
  16. Kansas
  17. Kentucky
  18. Louisiana
  19. Maine
  20. Maryland
  21. Massachusetts
  22. Michigan
  23. Minnesota
  24. Mississippi
  25. Missouri
  26. Montana
  27. Nebraska
  28. Nevada
  29. New Hampshire
  30. New Jersey
  31. New Mexico
  32. New York
  33. North Carolina
  34. North Dakota
  35. Ohio
  36. Oklahoma
  37. Oregon
  38. Pennsylvania
  39. Rhode Island
  40. South Carolina
  41. South Dakota
  42. Tennessee
  43. Texas
  44. Utah
  45. Vermont
  46. Virginia
  47. Washington
  48. West Virginia
  49. Wisconsin
  50. Wyoming

Under Alabama state code Section 13A-11-85 all valid out of state concealed carry permits are recognized.

How To Apply for an Alabama Concealed Carry License

Can I get a concealed carry permit in Alabama?
Alabama is a shall issue state. This means that if the applicant meets a set of standard criteria they will be issued a concealed carry permit. Certain criteria that may prevent you from receiving a concealed carry permit include, but are not limited to:

  • conviction of violent crime
  • having entered a plea of insanity
  • found to be mentally ill
  • found to be mentally diseased or defect

Relevant Code(s):
Section 13A-11-75

What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in AL?

Alabama states that “No person who is a minor” may possess a firearm. Alabama considers anyone under the age of 19 to be a minor. However, an individual who has petitioned the court at the age of 18 to become an “emancipated minor” is considered to have the same rights as an individual who has reached the age of majority, and therefore eligible to apply for a concealed weapons license.

Relevant Code(s):
Section 26-1-1
Section 13A-11-72

Who issues a concealed carry permit in Alabama?
Residents of Alabama should apply with the Sheriff of the county in which they reside to obtain a concealed permit. The request will be processed within 30 days of a submitted complete application.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-75

How long is an Alabama concealed carry permit good for?
Alabama concealed carry permits are valid for a maximum of 5 years. However, they can be obtained in increments of 1 year up to the maximum.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-75

Does AL issue concealed permits to non-residents?
According to the attorney generals website, the state of Alabama does not issue non-resident concealed carry permits. No applicable code or section is provided.
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
According to the below code, the Sheriff’s office will have 30 days from receipt of a complete application and any fees to issue the permit.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-75

How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
The cost to obtain a concealed carry permit in Alabama will range based on locality. However, the average cost of a permit is $20 per year.
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
Alabama does not require any form of training to acquire a concealed carry permit.

Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Alabama

Is Alabama an Open Carry State?
Alabama is an open carry state. If a person is open carrying a firearm, as long as the weapon is secured or holstered it is not considered disorderly conduct.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-7

Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?

Those with a valid concealed carry permit, can carry a loaded pistol in their vehicle. However, those without a permit must keep the weapon unloaded, and it must not be accessible by the driver or any passenger.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-73
Section 13A-11-75

Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
You are allowed to carry a concealed firearm into Alabama state parks, provided you have a concealed carry license.

Relevant Code(s):

220-5-.08

Can I Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
The state of Alabama does not explicitly prevent conceal carry in restaurants. However, you should not consume alcohol while carrying in a restaurant. Per the following excerpt, it is recommended that you follow any posted signage alerting patrons that the establishment is gun free.

“[…]notice at the public entrances of such premises or buildings alerting those entering that firearms are prohibited”

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-52
Section 13A-11-61.2

Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
There is nothing in Alabama state law that indicates it is illegal to conceal carry a weapon into a church or place of worship. However, it is recommended that you pay close attention to any posted signage indicating the establishment does not allow firearms.
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
While financial institutions are not expressly listed in the Alabama state code, the letter of the law seems to imply that it could be considered illegal to conceal carry into a bank. According to the following excerpt;

“[…]a person, including a person with a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85, may not, without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises, knowingly possess or carry a firearm 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.”

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-61.2

Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Although hospitals are not expressly mentioned in Alabama law, there are references to medical care facilities.

“Inside a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.”

Furthermore, hospitals do have restricted access sections and frequently employ security guards. Therefore, it can fall under the same protections as a bank and therefore, could be considered illegal to conceal carry a firearm into a hospital.

“[…]a person, including a person with a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85, may not, without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises, knowingly possess or carry a firearm 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.”

Relevant Code(s):

Section 13A-11-61.2

The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.