The Code of Alabama 1975. Posted July 9, 2004. 

Title 13A Criminal Code

Article 3 Offenses Relating to Firearms and Weapons.

Division 1 General Provisions. 
Section 13A-11-50 Carrying concealed weapons. 
Section 13A-11-51 Evidence of apprehension of attack may mitigate punishment, etc. 
Section 13A-11-52 Carrying pistol on premises not his own; who may carry pistol. 
Section 13A-11-53 Brass knuckles and slingshots. 
Section 13A-11-54 Carrying rifle or shotgun walking cane. 
Section 13A-11-55 Indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully; proof. 
Section 13A-11-56 Using firearms while fighting in public place. 
Section 13A-11-57 Selling, etc., pistol or bowie knife to minor. 
Section 13A-11-58 Sale of firearms or ammunition to residents of adjoining states; purchase in adjoining states. 
Section 13A-11-59 Possession of firearms by persons participating in, attending, etc., demonstrations at public places. 
Section 13A-11-60 Possession or sale of brass or steel teflon-coated handgun ammunition; applicability of section. 
Section 13A-11-61 Discharging firearm, etc., into occupied or unoccupied building, etc., prohibited; penalty. 


Section 13A-11-50
Carrying concealed weapons.
Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a person who carries concealed about his person a bowie knife or knife or instrument of like kind or description or a pistol or firearm of any other kind or an air gun shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.

(Code 1852, §15; Code 1867, §3555; Code 1876, §4109; Code 1886, §3775; Code 1896, §4420; Code 1907, §6421; Code 1923, §3485; Code 1940, T. 14, §161; Code 1975, §13-6-120.)


Section 13A-11-51
Evidence of apprehension of attack may mitigate punishment, etc.
The defendant being tried under the provisions of Section 13A-11-50 may give evidence that at the time of carrying the weapon concealed, he had good reason to apprehend an attack, which the jury may consider in mitigation of the punishment or in justification of the offense.

(Code 1852, §15; Code 1867, §3555; Code 1876, §4109; Code 1886, §3775; Code 1896, §4420; Code 1907, §6421; Code 1923, §3485; Code 1940, T. 14, §162; Code 1975, §13-6-121.)


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Section 13A-11-53
Brass knuckles and slingshots.
Anyone who carries concealed about his person brass knuckles, slingshots or other weapon of like kind or description shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.

(Code 1876, §4110; Code 1886, §3776; Code 1896, §4421; Code 1907, §6422; Code 1923, §3486; Code 1940, T. 14, §164; Code 1975, §13-6-123.)


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Section 13A-11-55
Indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully; proof.
In an indictment for carrying weapons unlawfully, it is sufficient to charge that the defendant carried concealed about his person a pistol, or other description of firearms, on premises not his own, or a bowie knife, or other knife or instrument of the like kind or description, or other forbidden weapon, describing it, as the case may be; and the excuse, if any, must be proved by the defendant on the trial, to the satisfaction of the jury; and if the evidence offered to excuse the charge raises a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt, the jury must acquit him.

(Code 1852, §586; Code 1867, §4136; Code 1876, §4809; Code 1886, §3779; Code 1896, §4424; Code 1907, §6425; Acts 1919, No. 204, p. 196; Code 1923, §3491; Code 1940, T. 14, §166; Code 1975, §13-6-125.)


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Section 13A-11-57
Selling, etc., pistol or bowie knife to minor.
Any person who sells, gives or lends to any minor any pistol or bowie knife, or other knife of like kind or description, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00.

(Code 1852, §204; Code 1867, §3751; Code 1876, §4230; Code 1886, §4096; Code 1896, §5355; Code 1907, §6896; Code 1923, §4046; Code 1940, T. 14, §170; Code 1975, §13-6-128.)


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  Alabama Case Law:

- A "butcher's knife" 11 inches long overall is a knife "of
   like kind or description" as a bowie knife (1897).
- "A 'bowie knife' ordinarily designates a long knife shaped
   like a dagger, but having only one edge, and does not
   include a knife which opens and shuts and is not too large
   to be carried in a trouser's pocket..." (1985)
- "'Lock-blade'" knife not included... within the statutory
   prohibition." (1985)

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