Bill > SB40

This bill, known as the Houston/Hunter Act, establishes legal guidelines for firearm hold agreements between individual firearm owners and federal firearms licensees (FFLs). The bill defines a firearm hold agreement as a private transaction where an FFL temporarily takes physical possession of a lawfully owned firearm at the owner's request, holds it for an agreed period, and then returns it to the owner. The legislation provides civil immunity to FFLs who lawfully return firearms to owners at the end of a hold agreement, meaning that firearm owners cannot sue the licensee for simply returning their weapon. However, this immunity does not protect FFLs from civil action if they engage in unlawful conduct during the agreement. The bill clarifies that the provisions do not apply to firearm transfers that would violate existing Alabama state laws regarding firearms and transfers. The act is set to become effective on June 1, 2025, and uses definitions consistent with federal firearms regulations, specifically referencing 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 18 U.S.C. § 921 for key terms like "federal firearms licensee" and "firearm."

Government Affairs, Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search