FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 26, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
ATTORNEY GENERAL STRANGE ANNOUNCES ALABAMA CONCEALED
CARRY PERMIT HOLDERS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR
GUN PURCHASES
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange announced that holders of
Alabama’s Permit to Carry Pistol in Vehicle or Concealed on Person are no longer
required to undergo additional background checks each time they purchase a firearm.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has agreed to
Attorney General Strange’s request for an exemption to the mandatory National Instant
Criminal Background Check provided the Alabama conceal carry permit was issued on
or after August 1, 2013, and within the past five years by the State, and that the permit
has not expired under State law.
“I’m pleased that the ATF has approved my request to exempt Alabama conceal carry
permit holders from having to undergo additional background checks each time they
want to buy a firearm,” said Attorney General Strange. “Alabama concealed carry
permit holders in good standing have already passed a background check and there is
no need to force them to submit to additional checks if they intend to buy a firearm
within five years of receiving their permit.”
Alabama now joins 23 other states given NICS exemptions for concealed carry permit
holders.
ATF NICS Exemption List: https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/permanent-brady-
permit-chart
A copy of the ATF NICS exemption approval and AG Strange’s request are attached.
–30–
501 Washington Avenue* Montgomery, AL 36104* (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.usU.S. Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Fireanns and Explosives
W:ishington, DC 20226
www.atLgov FEB 2 4 2016
OPEN LETTER TO ALL ALABAMA FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES
The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may
follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady Act), 18 U.S.C. ß
922(t), when transferring a fireann to an unlicensed person.
The pennanent provisions of the Brady Act took effect on November 30, 1998. The Brady Act,
codified at 18 U.S.C. ß 922(t) generally requires Federal fireanns licensees (FFLs) to initiate a
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check before
transferring a fireann to an unlicensed person. However, the Brady Act contains exceptions to
the NICS check requirement, including an exception for holders of certain State pennits to
possess, carry, or acquire fireanns. The law and implementing regulations provide that permits
issued within the past 5 years may qualify as alternatives to the NICS check if certain other
requirements are satisfied. Most importantly, the authority issuing the permit must conduct a
NICS background check and must deny a permit to anyone prohibited from possessing fireanns
under Federal, State, or local law.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireanns and Explosives (ATF) has reviewed Alabama’s
Permit to Carry Pistol in Vehicle or Concealed on Person and has determined that the permit
qualifies as an alternative to the background check requirement. Please be advised that only
permits issued pursuant to Alabama Codeß 13A-l l-75 on or after August 1, 2013, qualify as
alternatives to the background check. If an unlicensed person presents a permit issued prior to
1, 2013, the FFL must conduct a background check prior to transferring the fireann.
August
If you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person pursuant to the permit alternative, you must
comply with the following requirements:
l . Have the transferee complete and sign ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction
Record.
- Verify the identity of the transferee through a Government-issued photo
identification (for example, a driver’s license). - Verify that the permit was issued on or after August 1, 2013, and within the past
5 years by the State in which the transfer is to occur, and that the permit has not
expired under State law. -2- - Either retain a copy of the transferee’s pennit and attach it to the Form 4473, or
record on the Form 4473 any identifying number from the permit, the date of
issuance, and the expiration date of the pennit.
If you have any questions about Alabama’s Permit to Carry Pistol in Vehicle or Concealed on
Person qualifying as an alternative to the NICS check, please call ATF’s Fireanns Industry
Programs Branch at (202) 648-7190.
