No pistol permit is required after Jan. 1

Beginning Jan. 1 residents in Alabama will no longer be required to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon with the state joining 21 others that no longer require permits or background checks.

The bill, passed earlier this year by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey, was opposed by the Alabama Sheriff's Association.

Until now, Alabama residents were required to go to their respective sheriff's office and purchase a pistol permit to carry a concealed weapon. The cost was $20 per year with the price dropping to $15 per year for residents 65 years old and older.

Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson, who joined other sheriff's in opposing the bill, noted that while permits will not be required in Alabama, they will still be available.

Sheriff Jackson said Alabama had a reciprocal agreement with neighboring states, meaning a pistol permit purchased in Alabama would be valid in states like Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi. Sheriff Jackson said people need to check other states' requirements before traveling.

Jackson said Alabama residents traveling to Florida without a pistol permit could be subject to arrest. He also noted carrying a concealed weapon in Florida without a permit is a felony.

"Part of that bill took away our discretion on issuing permits," Jackson said. "Permits gave us an additional tool in our toolbox to help make our streets safer."

Sheriff Jackson added that the loss of revenue generated from selling pistol permits will also cause a big hit in the sheriffs' budgets across the state. Reports noted that pistol permits accounted for $12 to $14 million a year into sheriffs' budgets.

He said in Escambia County he used pistol permit money to train officers and purchase equipment. He noted the sheriff's office has also used pistol permit money purchased a rescue boat and some ATVs to aid in the search of residents. He also said when the sheriff's office conducts school functions to promote law enforcement, pistol permit funds are used for those events.

He said the money is also used to purchase weapons for deputies.

Sheriff Jackson said the sheriff's office used to get about $126,000 a year in pistol permit money but it dropped to $50,000 or $60,000 once the bill was passed.

"We're going to take a huge hit," Jackson said.

"The legislators think they know how to protect citizens better than law enforcement does," Jackson said. "I wouldn't go to the Legislature to find out how to bake a cake, I'd got to a baker."