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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama establishes rebuttable presumption against self-defense justification when weapons are concealed or destroyed
Last action · April 15, 2026: EnactedSponsor: David Faulkner
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What This Bill Does
Alabama law establishes a that the use of physical or deadly force is not justified in self-defense if the defendant conceals, alters, destroys, or disposes of the deadly weapon used in the offense, taking effect October 1, 2026.
Defendants claiming self-defense face a legal hurdle if they dispose of or alter the weapon involved in the incident, shifting the evidentiary burden unless they surrender the unaltered weapon to law enforcement without undue delay.
- Section 13A-3-23 of the Code of Alabama 1975 governs the use of physical force in defense of self or others, commonly known as 'stand your ground' and self-defense laws. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Defendants claiming self-defense
Defendants face a rebuttable presumption that force was unjustified if they conceal, alter, destroy, or dispose of the weapon used.
Law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement may use standard investigation procedures for use-of-force incidents but cannot arrest individuals unless there is probable cause that the force was unlawful.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a defendant disposes of the weapon used in an incident where they claim self-defense?
When does this act become effective?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Became law.
Procedural history
22 actions- Apr 15, 2026HouseEnrolledEnacted
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolledDelivered to Governor
- Apr 9, 2026SenateSignature Requested
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolled
- Apr 9, 2026HouseReady to Enroll
- Apr 9, 2026HouseFaulkner motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1345
Show 16 earlier actions
- Apr 8, 2026SenateFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1281
- Apr 8, 2026SenateAlbritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1280
- Apr 8, 2026SenateAlbritton 1st Amendment Offered
- Feb 25, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Feb 5, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary
- Feb 3, 2026HouseEngrossed
- Feb 3, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 241
- Feb 3, 2026HouseMotion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 240
- Feb 3, 2026HouseJudiciary Engrossed Substitute Offered
- Feb 3, 2026HouseThird Reading in House of Origin
- Jan 21, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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