With Alabama’s permitless carry law set to take effect Jan. 1, sheriffs in Mobile and Baldwin counties say they are already feeling the pinch as handgun permit revenue dries up.
The Alabama Legislature voted earlier this year to remove the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The change does not apply to rifles. Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, a vocal critic of the change, said his agency typically collects about $1.2 million a year in permit revenue that funds training, communications equipment and community programs.
“Since the bill passed, it’s caused people to stop purchasing,” Cochran said, noting he is down about $436,000 with nine months left in the year. He said much of the loss reflects gun owners opting for single-year permits rather than multiyear ones while they wait to see how the law plays out.
Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said his office has seen a 40 percent drop in permits, translating to a loss between $375,000 and $400,000. Baldwin County’s gross permit revenue was $900,000 in 2021. Over the past 15 years, Mack said, 100 percent of his deputies’ and correctional officers’ training was paid for with permit funds.
Before passing the law, the state Senate created a $5 million, three-year relief fund to help agencies offset losses. Cochran questioned whether it will be enough, and said the funding formula uses 2022 as a baseline — a year already depressed by falling permit sales.
Alabama became the 22nd state to enact permitless carry when Gov. Kay Ivey signed the legislation in March.