Alabama law does not restrict the possession or transfer of machine guns. However, a person who possesses, obtains, receives, sells, or uses a part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun is guilty of a Class C felony.1 For the purposes of this section, the term “machine gun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term also includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.2 A person who owns or has in his or her possession, control, care, or custody a firearm, part, or combination of parts that are registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives or is otherwise not subject to the federal registration requirement is exempt.2 Any part, combination of parts, or device designed or intended to increase a pistol’s rate of fire but that does not enable a semiautomatic pistol to fire more than two shots, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger is also exempt.2
Federal law requires machine guns to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and generally prohibits the transfer or possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986.3
See our Machine Guns and Auto Sears policy summaries for comprehensive discussion of this topic.