Gun Rights Advocates Push Back Against HB58, Calling It a "Dangerous Overreach"

Gun rights advocates across Alabama are sounding the alarm over House Bill 58 (HB58), a proposed law that would impose criminal penalties on gun owners who fail to disclose they are carrying a concealed firearm during certain interactions with law enforcement. Critics argue the bill unfairly targets responsible gun owners, putting them at legal risk for a moment of hesitation or forgetfulness.

HB58, currently under consideration in the Alabama Legislature, would make failure to inform an officer about a concealed weapon a Class A Misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to one year in jail and a $6,000 fine. Supporters of the bill claim it is a common-sense measure to improve officer safety, but opponents say it is an unnecessary expansion of government power that could lead to dangerous encounters.

Gun rights organization Bama Carry has strongly condemned the bill, arguing that it does more harm than good.

"This proposed legislation is not only UNFAIR but also DANGEROUS!" Bama Carry stated in a public call to action. "The idea of a Class A Misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to $6,000 and potentially one year in prison, for a simple omission during the STRESS of a traffic stop is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS!"

Opponents of HB58 warn that such a law could create unintended consequences, particularly in high-pressure situations where legal gun owners may be nervous or distracted. Bama Carry also pointed to a real-world example of the potential dangers of forced disclosure:

"A Jacksonville sheriff ACCIDENTALLY shot a man with the man’s own gun during a traffic stop while attempting to disarm him. This tragic incident highlights the inherent risks involved during these interactions. HB58 would only exacerbate these risks, placing both our officers and citizens in DANGER during what should be minor interactions with law enforcement."

Gun rights activists argue that existing law enforcement tools—such as criminal background checks and prohibited possessor databases—already provide officers with the information they need. Bama Carry emphasized that these tools "should be MORE THAN ENOUGH to maintain public safety without imposing unnecessary and harmful penalties on law-abiding citizens."

Gun rights groups are urging Alabamians to contact their legislators and demand the bill be amended or struck down entirely.

"We must act now to demand that lawmakers remove the penalty or strike the failure to inform language altogether," Bama Carry’s statement concluded.

With Alabama’s long-standing support for the Second Amendment, the fight over HB58 is shaping up to be a key test of where the state’s lawmakers truly stand on gun rights.