Alabama Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Regulate Assault Weapons

Discourse around so-called “assault weapons” has reached a fever pitch in recent weeks. Over the last 14 days, we’ve seen two separate federal court cases address the status of scary black rifles.

Now, we have more news about these types of firearms. Lawmakers are attempting to regulate assault weapons in one of the last places you’d expect: Alabama.

Alabama Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Regulate Assault Weapons

Last week, Alabama state representative Kenyatte Hassell introduced HB23. The proposed law would require Alabama citizens to acquire a permit to buy or carry assault weapons.

The bill defines “assault weapons” as a semi-auto firearm that can accept a detachable magazine and has one or more specific cosmetic features (like a pistol grip, threaded barrel, or muzzle device).

In addition, the HB23 would regulate all parts used to make an assault weapon. Magazines with a capacity higher than 10 rounds would require a permit, too.

Those who violated the proposed law would be guilty of a Class C felony, landing them in jail for up to 10 years and incurring fines up to $15,000.

To acquire an assault weapon permit, Alabama residents would need to apply to their local sheriff’s department. The sheriff would ultimately be able to decide whether to issue the permit or not. The bill leaves room for some kind of application fee, but doesn’t give an exact number or describe the application process.

As with proposed assault weapon bans in other states, HB23 carves out exceptions to law enforcement, soldiers, and other government personnel.

HB23 is scheduled to be reviewed by Alabama’s state government in February of 2025. If it passes, the proposed law would take effect on October 1, 2025.

The Big Picture

Alabama is a strange place for an assault weapon bill to originate. It’s one of the most pro-gun states in the country. In 2023, it became a Constitutional Carry state, allowing anyone over the age of 19 to acquire and carry a gun without a permit.

Readers should also note that the bill’s sponsor, representative Kenyatte Hassell, just joined Alabama’s legislature in 2023. That makes him the new kid on the block, serving with some lawmakers who have held their positions since the 1990s.

The sponsors of Colorado’s proposed assault weapon ban, Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernandez, have both become state representatives since 2023. It’s interesting to see so many newly-minted politicians calling to regulate certain weapons.

Fortunately, this bill is likely dead on arrival. Alabama’s state government is a “Republican Trifecta.” That means its Senate, House of Representatives, and Governor are all Republicans.

In other words, even if this law passes both chambers of the legislature, Alabama’s staunchly-Republican governor Kay Ivey will likely veto it.

Still, the fact that this bill exists at all is a barometer of the public discourse surrounding so-called assault weapons.