Reciprocal firearms laws allow a person who has a firearms permit in one state, particularly a permit to carry a concealed weapon, to exercise the same rights to carry a concealed weapon in a reciprocating state. If Joe has a concealed weapons permit in Georgia, he does not need a concealed weapons permit from Alabama in order to carry a concealed gun there. Many states have reciprocating laws, but some either do not, or are limiting on which states they reciprocate with.



Federal laws make it unlawful for anyone convicted of either a felony or domestic violence to possess a firearm. Alabama state laws also limit who may possess a gun. Under Alabama laws, one also must be of sound mind, not have a criminal history that includes a felony, theft, or an offense of explosives or firearms. But it appears that different Alabama counties have different qualifications regarding military discharge. For instance, Mobile County requires an honorable discharge to get a permit, while according to the website, Jefferson County rules state "No person discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions" can obtain a pistol license. This raises interesting prospect, as a "General Discharge" is normally considered "General under Honorable conditions. Unknown to most people, a petition for upgrade to "Honorable" from "General" can be made to the military. There are important things to consider when doing this, but the rules for review must be followed. When followed properly, and when other important considerations are met, the upgrade can occur, to the delight of the formerly enlisted.



When an application for an Alabama gun permit is filed, a background check will be conducted at the federal, state, and local levels. Lying on an application is a crime, as is showing false identity. Finger prints are taken, as well, helping to insure the identify of the applicant. Crimes committed in the future are checked when there are fingerprints available from the crime scene. Complying with the law to carry a gun or concealed firearm is a good idea when one has reason to believe that they are or will be threatened with bodily harm, or when they are expected to be ready to defend life.