Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é spoke with an attorney about gun laws in Alabama.
An increase in gun violence both nationally and right here in Huntsville has many wondering about who can and can't own a gun.
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Reporter Jillian Kay spoke with an attorney and dug through the state's law code.
Michael Timberlake owns his own law firm in downtown Huntsville. He says it's illegal for anyone under the age of 19 to buy a gun from a licensed store, and it's also a crime to sell or privately give a gun to an underage kid.
"In general, minors can't possess a pistol, but they can do so if they're in a class for targeting or if they're in any kind of hunting class or if any parent allows them to do it," Timberlake explained.Â
He stressed that anyone under the age of 19 cannot own or even have a gun, but there are a few exceptions. That includes parent's permission, hunting or fishing with a valid license, or serving as an active member of the armed forces.
"You look at the statistics of gun violence in America, and everyone gets to make up their own mind about whether the firearms laws which have coincided with a huge drastic increase in gun violence have contributed in any way to this," Timberlake said.
The practicing attorney says you don't need a background check for a private gun sale. For a licensed gun sale, he says a background check is the only thing you do need.
In Alabama, you don't even have to have a license to carry a concealed gun in public.
You can learn more about Alabama's gun laws by visiting .
Alabama law code says you don't have to have a license to carry a concealed gun in public. It also says it's illegal to sell a gun to anyone under the age of 19.
