Section 41-27-3.3 State Firearms Prohibited Person Database.
This provision creates a state firearms prohibited person database, gives the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency responsibilities to run it, and lets sheriffs use electronic permit services and payment methods.
(a) Act 2021-246 shall be known and may be cited as the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act. (b)(1) No later than October 1, 2022, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall develop, create, maintain, and administer a state firearms prohibited person database and shall send written notice to the Governor and the Director of the Legislative Services Agency certifying that the database is operational and fully compliant with Act 2021-246. This database shall be linked to the state Law Enforcement Tactical System so that all “Firearms Prohibited Person” notices are viewable by law enforcement officers and other authorized persons through the Law Enforcement Tactical System. The database shall provide a method for municipal, probate, district, and circuit courts to report convictions and orders that affect an individual’s eligibility to possess a firearm under federal or state law. Upon request by a sheriff, the agency shall share any information from the database with the sheriff. (2) The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency may contract with a third party for the development, creation, and maintenance of the state firearms prohibited person database, but the agency shall administer the database in a method as determined by the Alabama Justice Information Commission. (3) Except as otherwise provided in Act 2021-246, any information in the database shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes except when an individual in the database is charged in any state with a felony involving the use of a firearm. (c) A sheriff may provide for application, review, and renewal of a concealed carry permit through electronic means, as well as maintenance of records of applications, issued permits, and denied permits through electronic means. A sheriff may also accept payment for a permit by a debit or credit card or other consumer electronic payment method. Any transaction or banking fee charged for the electronic payment method shall be paid by the applicant. (d) The Alabama Justice Information Commission may adopt rules to implement Act 2021-246; provided, the commission shall not place additional conditions or requirements on the issuance of a concealed carry permit or limit its scope and applicability. (e) Act 2021-246 shall not be construed to limit or place any conditions upon an individual’s right to carry a pistol that is not in a motor vehicle and not concealed on or about his or her person. (f) Any pistol permit issued prior to January 1, 2023, shall remain valid until its expiration date.