Introduction

Thank you for interest in applying for the Mobile County Sheriff Office’s Pistol Permit which will allow you, with certain limitations, to carry a pistol concealed on your person or in your vehicle. The MCSO Pistol Permit differs from the Bill of Rights’ Second Amendment, which gives citizens of the United States of America the right to bear arms, in that a Pistol Permit is a privilege granted to qualified individuals by the Mobile County Sheriff.

Section 13A-11-75 - License to carry pistol in vehicle or concealed on person
The sheriff of a county, upon the application of any person residing in that county, may issue a qualified or unlimited license to such person to carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on or about his person within this state for not more than one year from date of issue…

However most individuals are not required to have a Pistol Permit to posses a firearm; Alabama Law allows for non disqualified citizens (see Ala. Code, Section 13A-11-72 below) to possess a pistol in their homes or place of business;

Section 13A-11-73 - License to carry pistol in vehicle or concealed on person.
No person shall carry a pistol (PISTOL. Any firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches in length) in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person, except on his land, in his own abode or fixed place of business, without a license …

The Mobile County Sheriff Office Pistol Permit
In order for a Mobile County Sheriff Office Pistol Permit to be issued certain checks must be made; just as an individual may forfeit his/her Second Amendment right to bear arms by committing certain acts (for example federal law prohibits individuals convicted for felonies and/or Domestic Violence from possessing any firearms), Alabama Law also places restrictions on who may possess a pistol:

Section 13A-11-72 - Certain persons forbidden to possess pistol. (a) No person who has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence [CRIME OF VIOLENCE. Any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit any of them, namely, murder, manslaughter, (except manslaughter arising out of the operation of a vehicle), rape, mayhem, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to ravish, assault with intent to murder, robbery, burglary, kidnapping and larceny (thief)] shall own a pistol or have one in his or her possession or under his or her control.

(b) No person who is a drug addict or an habitual drunkard shall own a pistol or have one in his or her possession or under his or her control.

State law further requires that the Sheriff determine a person’s suitability to be issued a Pistol Permit;

Section 13A-11-75 - License to carry pistol in vehicle or concealed on person … if it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear injury to his person or property or has any other proper reason for carrying a pistol, and that he is a suitable person to be so licensed…

The Mobile County Sheriff Office Pistol Permit General Guidelines

1. The applicant must be a legal citizen of the United States of America, a legal citizen of the State of Alabama, and have primary residence in Mobile County for six months.
2. The applicant must have an Alabama Driver’s License, Alabama Identification Card, or active military identification card.
3. The applicant must be at least 21 years of age. Applicants under the age of 25 will be required to produce a High School Diploma or GED and two letters of reference (one from the applicant’s current employer with proof of employment). The letters are to indicate the suitability of the applicant in regards to point number four;
4. The applicant must be a responsible individual of good character, who routinely exercises good judgment.
5. The applicant must not have been convicted of and/or attempted to commit (as determined by arrests for) any of the following;
   
   a)A crime of violence (Section 13A-11-72, defined above)
   b) Domestic violence or assault against a spouse of family member.
   c) Convicted of a criminal felony.
   d) More than one misdemeanor arrest within the past three years.
   e) Convicted of any drug charge.
6. The applicant must not be a drug addict or a habitual drunkard.
7. Applicants with military service must have received an Honorable discharge.
8. Applications must truthful Alabama State Code, Title 14 (Section 183) says no person shall give false information or offer false evidence of his identity in order to apply for a pistol license. Such a violation is punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years.

Alabama Reciprocal Gun Permit Agreement

Your Mobile County Sheriff Office Pistol Permit will be good for one year from the date of issue, within the State of Alabama. The following states currently accept Alabama Pistol Permits; Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming Note: for an up-dated listing see Alabama Reciprocal Gun under Programs @ www.ago.state.al.us

The Mobile County Sheriff Office Pistol Permit Procedures;

1. The initial application must be completed and processed in person at the Mobile County Sheriff Office (located at 510 S. Royal St.). Renewals can be made through the mail, if the picture is not more than 3-5 years old.
2. A federal, state and local Criminal History check will be completed. Note: If an individual has any type of criminal record (i.e. arrests) the application must be approved by a Mobile County Sheriff Office Supervisor.
3. Once approved the applicant’s picture is taken and a $20 fee is collected (cash, money orders and personal checks accepted, a $35 fee will apply to all returned checks). The MCSO Pistol Permit is good for one year.

The Sheriff’s Pistol Permit Office is open from 8am to 4pm Monday thru Friday except for state holidays.

WARNING

Your pistol permit does not authorize you to carry a pistol while consuming alcohol or drugs.

Your pistol permit does not authorize you to carry a pistol inside an airport, courthouse or any other public building that specifically prohibits firearms. This includes city, state, and federal facilities.

Your pistol permit does not authorize you to carry a pistol at any public gathering such as sporting events, political events, parades, and etc. (Title 13A-11-59)

The Sheriff of Mobile County has the authority to issue, deny, and/or revoke a pistol permit at his discretion.