Alabama § 5-29-3 - Prohibition Against Governmental Entities Creating or Maintaining Registry of Certain Firearms, Etc.; Use of Firearms Codes Prohibited in Certain Circumstances.
Full text of Alabama Code of Alabama § 5-29-3 — Prohibition Against Governmental Entities Creating or Maintaining Registry of Certain Firearms, Etc.; Use of Firearms Codes Prohibited in Certain Circumstances., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5-29-3. Prohibition Against Governmental Entities Creating or Maintaining Registry of Certain Firearms, Etc.; Use of Firearms Codes Prohibited in Certain Circumstances.
(a) Except for records kept during the regular course of a criminal investigation or prosecution or as otherwise required by law, a governmental entity or agent or employee of a governmental entity shall not knowingly keep or cause to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or the owners of firearms.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), a payment card network or agent of a payment card network shall not require the use of a firearms code in a way that distinguishes a firearm retailer from other retailers.
(c) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), a financial institution or agent of a financial institution shall not decline a payment card transaction involving a firearm retailer based solely on an assignment of a firearms code.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a payment card network or financial institution from declining or otherwise refusing to process a payment card transaction for any of the following reasons:
(1) To comply with applicable state or federal law.
(2) To comply with a request by a customer.
(3) To comply with fraud, credit, or compliance controls.
(4) For the purpose of merchant category exclusions offered by a financial institution for expenditure control or corporate card control.
(5) To restrict the use or availability of a firearms code in this state.
(e) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of a financial institution or payment card network to negotiate with responsible parties or otherwise impair a financial institution’s actions related to any of the following:
(1) Dispute processing.
(2) Fraud risk, compliance, credit management, or other controls in the ordinary course of business operations.
(3) Protecting against illegal activities, breach, or cyber risks.
(4) Restricting the use or availability of a firearms code in this state.
Source: official Alabama text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama § 5-29-3
What does Code of Alabama § 5-29-3 cover?
Section 5-29-3 ("Prohibition Against Governmental Entities Creating or Maintaining Registry of Certain Firearms, Etc.; Use of Firearms Codes Prohibited in Certain Circumstances.") is part of the Code of Alabama, the codified statutory law of Alabama. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alabama § 5-29-3?
A common citation format is "Code of Alabama § 5-29-3" (Alabama). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alabama law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alabama official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alabama attorney.
How does Alabama § 5-29-3 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alabama can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.