Alabama is a may issue state. The Sheriff may issue the permit, or then again, may not issue the permit.
Quote:
Section 13A-11-75
License to carry pistol in vehicle or concealed on person - Issuance; term; form; fee; revocation.
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, 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 license shall be in triplicate, in form to be prescribed by the Secretary of State, and shall bear the name, address, description, and signature of the licensee and the reason given for desiring a license. The original thereof shall be delivered to the licensee, the duplicate shall, within seven days, be sent by registered or certified mail to the Director of Public Safety, and the triplicate shall be preserved for six years by the authority issuing the same. The fee for issuing such license shall be one dollar ($1) which shall be paid into the county treasury unless otherwise provided by local law. Prior to issuance of a license, the sheriff shall contact available local, state, and federal criminal history data banks to determine whether possession of a firearm by an applicant would be a violation of state or federal law. The sheriff may revoke a license upon proof that the licensee is not a proper person to be licensed.
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You will notice there is no definition for "proper reason" for carrying a pistol and there is no definition of "suitable person". It's left entirely up to the sheriff and his opinion. It wasn't too long ago that suitable person was determined firstly upon color of skin before anything else was considered.
Also notice in the statute there is no provision for appealing a sheriff's decision.
And don't think you are going to get an out of state permit that will work either. Alabama has that covered as well:
Quote:
Section 13A-11-85
Reciprocity for licenses issued in other states.
(a) A person licensed to carry a handgun in any state whose laws recognize and give effect in that state to a license issued under the laws of the State of Alabama shall be authorized to carry a handgun in this state. This section shall apply to a licenseholder from another state only while the licenseholder is not a resident of this state. A licenseholder from another state shall carry the handgun in compliance with the laws of this state.
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and yet Alabama "respects the right to carry concealed." Yeah, right. :barf: