Mobile County Sheriff pushes to change Alabama’s permitless carry law in Alabama

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The Mobile County Sheriff is heading a statewide discussion to change Alabama’s permitless carry laws to battle youthful crime.

Under current Alabama State Law, people 18 and older can concealed carry a handgun without a state permit, which requires a background check.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch asked state lawmakers to consider amending that law to require those under the age of 21 to have a concealed carry permit.

“That’s based on an uprising of violent crime that we’ve seen throughout Mobile County,” Burch said.

Since 2022, Burch said 171 crimes in Mobile County involving a weapon have been committed at the hands of those under 20 years old. According to Burch, 47 of those crimes were done by people 17 or younger.

“There’s a large number between 18 and 20 who are committing these crimes,” Burch said. “It’s concerning when you look at the ages of these violent crime and violent offenders.”

Currently, it’s illegal to own a handgun under the age of 18 in Alabama. Since 2023, anyone who legally owns a handgun can concealed carry without a permit. Alabama was the 25th state to adopt constitutional carry despite pushback from multiple county sheriffs, who feared revenue loss and cited safety concerns.

Burch said criminals will usually find a way to access firearms even when they’re not supposed to. The possible change to current state law would allow law enforcement to arrest those who don’t have a permit when they’re required to.

“We’d be able to take, you know, not only those individuals off the street, but the guns off the street that they’re using commit these crimes,” Burch said. “Let’s say you stop a car, got four or five people in there. They got four or five guns. They’re not in school. They’re not at work. What are they out there riding around doing?”

Burch said this is not a repeal of constitutional carry in its entirety.

“I believe ever law-abiding citizens who can legally own and carry a gun should,” Burch said. “Guns are for sporting and self defense. Period.”

Burch said he has mostly been discussing with Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle to amend the current law. He hopes a draft will be complete by the end of the week.

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