12/01/2025
Although I am unable to see comments on a particular page, a friend sent me a screenshot of a question about pistol permits that had went unanswered. So I figured that I would answer the citizens' question for others who may be wondering the same thing.
The question was about a recent post on pistol permits being available again, and the commenter wondered why one would need a pistol permit if the state had passed permitless carry. For others that may wonder as well…
Alabama went to “permitless carry” on Jan. 1, 2023, so you don’t need a pistol permit to carry a handgun (open or concealed) inside Alabama if you’re 19+ and not otherwise prohibited.
So why still get one? A few practical reasons:
1. Travel/reciprocity: A bunch of other states still require a permit to carry concealed. An Alabama pistol permit is recognized in many of them, so it keeps you legal when you cross state lines.
2. Buying a handgun can be smoother: Under federal rules, a qualifying Alabama carry permit (issued within the last 5 years) can serve as an alternative to the instant NICS background check at a dealer. Some dealers may still run NICS anyway, but the permit can speed things up when they choose to use it.
3. It’s still an official, optional credential: The permit is still issued by your county sheriff and remains a valid way to document lawful carry status, especially outside Alabama.
Bottom line: Not required for carry in Alabama anymore, but still useful for out-of-state carry and sometimes for purchases. Always check the specific laws of any state you’re traveling to, as they vary a lot.
I hope that this helps!