Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Gun Law Seminars in Alabama

I searched for an existing thread on these and didn't see one, so...

U.S. Law Shield (I have been a member for several years) is holding gun law seminars at several cities in Alabama in late September and October. I've registered for the one at Hoover Tactical on the 26th.

I have not attended one of these in Alabama, but went to a few in Texas, and I highly recommend them. At the seminars I attended presentations were given (and questions taken) by both law enforcement and attorneys.

I have some questions myself, such as, "What is defined as 'school premises' under Alabama law"?

Anyone who carries or who is even thinking about having a firearm for defense (whether they carry or not) should arm themselves with information-- the facts, not hearsay or what someone else's opinion may be. Since the state does not require training for a permit and no classes are given (that I am aware of, though I think it is needed) here's a chance to learn some things that may help you avoid big trouble some day.

The link to the locations and venues:

https://www.uslawshield.com/seminar/

Understand I am not trying to make money for these people- I think it's a very good idea to have legal protection on retainer if you carry, but that is your choice.

Well look who's here! Glad to see you!!
Good info!

Hahahhaa- thanks Straycat. Did my time in Texas, back now.

Welcome back

Thanks!

I'm registered
See you there

I didnt see anything in N AL.

Yeah. I'll ask if they plan to do that. They should.

I'm gonna catch the one in Wetumpka

I am particularly interested in what the law actually is concerning events that are not athletic events or public demonstrations (which are the only things I have seen spelled out in state law), and what the requirements are on private business owners concerning signage, etc.-- and what legal weight those signs carry.

Alabama Title 13-A does specifically list a handful of places firearms cannot be carried. But I have run into places where the people there seemed to think they could make up their own laws.

In Alabama signs regarding carrying firearms do not carry the weight of law.

I will tell you to be careful who is teaching these classes. There are a couple of lawyers in Alabama that have been teaching classes about gun laws and they don't know what the hell they are talking about.

I have heard the same thing, which is one reason I put this information out there. From my experience with these people, they have had attorneys, law enforcement, and firearms trainers at their seminars.

From reading and re-reading Title 13-A many times, Alabama is very specific about some things, but not clear about others. And we all know (or should) the law means whatever a judge says it means if it's open to interpretation.

Since I mentioned Texas eariler, I wanted to point out I'm not bragging on Texas. Texans will do plenty of that on their own.

But the laws and signage there are much more clear-cut and easier to understand. Some of them are surprising (!), but the required classes to get a permit spell out pretty clearly where a license holder can and cannot carry, the exceptions, and what is and is not Legal Notice in the case of signage.

Alabama needs something like this, I believe- or something more than 7 bucks at the sheriff's office and away you go-- but for the protection of the license holder, not to just pile on more expense and red tape.

Well, it was OK. It was good for those who may be new to carrying and didn't know -anything-, and it was a good primer for how to deal with police and the need for an attorney.

But it was hardly a in-depth seminar on gun law in this state.

What I did find is that as a US Law Shield member (I was a Texas Law Shield member already before moving back here), I can call them and their attorney in Alabama can answer my specific questions. There were a lot of things I could have asked, but decided against it-- it was not that kind of thing.

I always carry until I go to check my kid in or out of school meaning if i gotta open the door to school then I'll leave it in vehicle...

Things like that are exactly why I have been trying to pin down the legal definition of "school premises" in Alabama. I asked that question last night and got 3 different answers-- and they came from other people who were there. The attorney there was a knowledgeable guy, but he practices in Georgia. I didn't go there to hear the opinions of people reading off their phones.

So in that respect it was a disappointment in that I was not able to find out some things specifically concerning lawful carry in Alabama, and I just held my questions.

As much as I hate the idea of more requirements and red tape, I think Alabama should have classes on the law, as many other states require. Yeah it's one more thing you have to do, but you -know- what the current laws are when you leave there.

I can clear up the school premises issue easily.

Excluding sporting events which are specifically stated in the law. There is no law that prevents a person with a pistol permit from carrying a firearm on school ground, including into the school. The exception to this is a school that has all of the security measures listed in the law and a full time resource officer. So, if they have secure doors, you have to be admitted via some type of security mechanism and they have a guard posted at all times, then you can't carry into the building. If they don't have those measures in place, then you can carry I firearm into a school if you have a permit. I have done so many times.

In addition to any other place limited or prohibited by state or federal law, 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 knowingly possess or carry a firearm in any of the following places without the express permission of a person or entity with authority over the premises:
(1) Inside the building of a police, sheriff, or highway patrol station.
(2) Inside or on the premises of a prison, jail, halfway house, community corrections facility, or other detention facility for those who have been charged with or convicted of a criminal or juvenile offense.
(3) Inside a facility which provides inpatient or custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental, or emotional disorders.
(4) Inside a courthouse, courthouse annex, a building in which a district attorney's office is located, or a building in which a county commission or city council is currently having a regularly scheduled or specially called meeting.
(5) Inside any facility hosting an athletic event not related to or involving firearms which is sponsored by a private or public elementary or secondary school or any private or public institution of postsecondary education, unless the person has a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.
(6) Inside any facility hosting a professional athletic event not related to or involving firearms, unless the person has a permit issued under Section 13A-11-75(a)(1) or recognized under Section 13A-11-85.

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), 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. Nothing in this subsection otherwise restricts the possession, transportation, or storage of a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in an employee's privately owned motor vehicle while parked or operated in a public or private parking area provided the employee complies with the requirements of Section 13A-11-90.
(c) The person or entity with authority over the premises set forth in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) and subsection (b) shall place a notice at the public entrances of such premises or buildings alerting those entering that firearms are prohibited.
(d) Except as provided in subdivisions (5) and (6) of subsection (a), any firearm on the premises of any facility set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (a), or subdivisions (4) to (6) inclusive, of subsection (a), or subsection (b) must be kept from ordinary observation and locked within a compartment or in the interior of the person's motor vehicle or in a compartment or container securely affixed to the motor vehicle.
(e) A violation of subsection (a), (b), or (d) is a Class C misdemeanor.

13A-11-72(c)

Subject to the exceptions provided by Section 13A-11-74, no person shall knowingly with intent to do bodily harm carry or possess a deadly weapon on the premises of a public school.
(d) Possession of a deadly weapon with the intent to do bodily harm on the premises of a public school in violation of subsection (c) of this section is a Class C felony.

As you can see, to violate this law, you have to have intent to do bodily harm when carrying.

I've been to several of these. They are well worth attending.

Friend of mine just started working for them.