What Every Alabaman Should Know About Gun Laws and Gunsmithing
Would you like to work as a gunsmith? Do you want to improve your abilities so you can take more pleasure in your hobby? For those who are passionate about guns or firearms, gunsmithing institutions offer the ideal mix of academic and professional training. In actuality, it is a quick and affordable way to become a gunsmith.
If you love weapons and want to make it your profession, becoming a gunsmith is a fantastic alternative. Gunsmiths are skilled artisans with specific training in the construction, modification, and upkeep of firearms. Knowing how to make weapons is crucial since Alabama has a long history of gun ownership and a robust hunting culture.
Anyone interested in learning about gunsmithing in Alabama can attend some gunsmithing institutions that provide well-organized classes and instruction. This post is specifically for you if you fall into this group.
How to Become a Gunsmith in Alabama: Step-by-Step Guide
Alabama requires a combination of education, training, and certification to become a gunsmith. Alabama is home to a number of gunsmithing educational institutions, including Ashworth College, Colorado School of Trades, and Trinidad State Junior College. These institutions provide a variety of gunsmithing courses, such as those on firearms safety, maintenance, modification, and engraving.
A license and certification are further required for employment as a gunsmith in Alabama in addition to education and training. Licenses for gunsmiths are issued by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, and they can be obtained by filling out an application, passing a test, and paying a fee.
Best Gunsmithing Schools in Alabama
Best Gunsmithing Schools in Alabama. You can check this article if you want to know where is the best place for gunsmithing in Alabama.
Montgomery Community College (MMC)
The Montgomery Community College is one of the gunsmith schools in Alabama that offer a gunsmithing degree, diploma, or certificate to students who enroll. It also provides a flexible program, which you can run during the day, in the evenings, and on your weekends.
The MCC is affiliated with the National Rifle Association. So, students have an opportunity to take some of NRA’s short gunsmithing courses to be taught by experts in the field.
Jefferson Davis Community College
The Jefferson Davies Community College does not have much of a presence online. However, they offer gunsmithing courses to students who wish to enroll in such training.
Top 7 Gunsmithing Schools in Alabama
School Name | Services | Contact |
---|---|---|
First Class Arms Training | Guns Ammunition Gun Safety Courses Three Shooting Ranges Gun accessories Self Defense Classes | Phone:(251) 824-1776 Web:http://firstclassarmstraining.org/ Location:1 Defenders Way, Coden, AL 36523 |
SRT Shooting Range | Ammunition Gun Safety & Marksmanship Instruction Guns & Gunsmiths | Phone:(251) 243-2645 Web: Location:Mobile, AL 36608 |
Sea School | Business & Vocational Schools Industrial Technical & Trade Schools | Phone:(251) 824-4500 Web:http://seaschool.com/ Location:9180 Little River Rd, Bayou La Batre, AL 36509 |
Gold Mine Pawn Shop | Pawnbrokers Check Cashing Service Guitars & Amplifiers Gun Safety & Marksmanship Instruction Guns & Gunsmiths | Phone:(251) 626-6500 Web:http://goldminepawnshop.com/ Location:602 Us Highway 98, Daphne, AL 36526 |
Faulkner State Community College | Colleges & Universities Industrial Technical & Trade Schools | Phone:(800) 321-3752 Web:http://www.faulknerstate.edu/ Location:440 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532 |
McCoy Outdoor Company | Guns & Gunsmiths Hunting & Fishing Preserves Men's Clothing Shoe Dyers | Phone:(833) 492-4130 Web:http://mccoyoutdoorco.com/ Location:3498 Spring Hill Ave, Mobile, AL 36608 |
M & A Studios | Aerial Photographers Adult Education Commercial Photographers | Phone:(251) 479-6555 Web:http://www.mandastudios.com/ Location:122 S Florida St, Mobile, AL 36606 |
Gunsmiths in Demand in Alabama
Before beginning a career or a trade, one of the essential things to examine is its profitability. So, it’s normal for you to enquire about the gunsmith demand in Alabama.
There is a demand for gunsmiths all over the United States. Mainly, gunsmiths are in high demand in Alabama. The skills and knowledge you would acquire as a gunsmith would qualify you for gunsmithing and firearms contracts in both private and public establishments.
Firearms manufacturers and firearms retail companies are always looking for people who can design, repair, or analyze malfunctions in firearms. Your knowledge of gun safety laws and precautions will also come in handy.
Online Gunsmith Schools for Alabama Residents
There are some online gunsmithing schools in Alabama. Since you would be learning remotely, you don’t have to choose an online gunsmithing school in Alabama. These schools provide an all-around learning experience as well as full certification for gunsmithing students.
They also help facilitate procedures required by the state to qualify as a legal gunsmith along with collecting a Federal Firearms License.
Here are some great choices of online gunsmithing schools in Alabama:
Gunsmithing School Cost
Gunsmithing school costs in Alabama vary depending on the type of program, duration, certification, and whether the training is physical or online. Some colleges also offer some gunsmith-related courses from which you can choose short diplomas.
Complete gunsmithing certification costs in community colleges in Alabama range from $11,000 to $26,000. International students often pay higher fees. On the other hand, online gunsmithing schools cost between $5,000 to $15000.
The Legislation of Firearms in Alabama
A lot of people say that Alabama has the nation’s most lenient gun regulations. Gun ownership, purchase, and transportation do not require any sort of license or registration in the state of Alabama. Yet, Alabama has restrictions on firearms and attachments like silencers and automatic weapons. Moreover, federal rules such as the ban on felons carrying firearms remain in effect.
Firearm ownership is legal for anybody aged 18 or older who is not barred from doing so by local, state, or federal law. If you are at least 21 years old, have completed a firearms training course, and have passed a background check, then you are eligible for a concealed carry permit in Alabama, as it is a “shall issue” state.
Read here for more info on the firearms and weapons laws in Alabama.
Gunsmithing Legality in Alabama
In the state of Alabama, gunsmithing is controlled by the law. Repair, alteration, modification, or assembly of firearms or firearms parts are all considered examples of “gunsmithing” under Alabama law. Any modification that affects the firearm’s accuracy, reliability, or operation falls under this category.
To be a fully licensed gunsmith, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives requires you to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL). People who do not have this license cannot legally trade or make a living from repairing or selling firearms in Alabama.
However, to get firearms licenses in Alabama, you must first obtain a state business license and a local business license. Without these licenses, you will not be granted a Federal Firearms License in Alabama.
Gunsmithing Regulations and Licenses in Alabama
In the state of Alabama, one needs a valid gunsmithing license before one may lawfully work in the industry. For anyone interested in becoming a licensed gunsmith in Alabama, the licensing process is managed by the Alabama Board of Gunsmiths and Dealers. Applicants must submit an application and go through a background check before receiving a license. They also need to have either two years of training or experience as a gunsmith.
Restrictions on Gunsmithing Activities in Alabama
Some gunsmithing operations are prohibited under Alabama law. It is against the law, for instance, to alter a handgun so that it fires automatically, or to produce a firearm without a license. The sale of firearms requires a license, thus unqualified individuals are prohibited from engaging in the business.
Penalties for Violating Gunsmithing Laws in Alabama
Gunsmithing is illegal in Alabama, which carries severe penalties for anyone who breaks the law. Those who break the law may be subject to monetary fines, jail time, or both. Changing a handgun into an automatic weapon, for instance, is a felony punishable by at least five years in prison.
FAQs
What kind of education do you need to be a gunsmith?
Gunsmiths are expected to have a high school diploma, to begin with.
The most popular educational choices are:
- Get professionally certified by taking a course and getting a professional certificate.
- Obtain an associate degree.
You can access either of these through online training or physically.
It also helps to undertake an apprenticeship. This way, you can experience one-to-one training and practice under an experienced gunsmith.
How much does a gunsmith make per hour in Alabama?
HR-reported statistics place the average hourly pay for gunsmiths in the country at $21.
Of course, this rate varies depending on how much skill, certification, or experience a gunsmith possesses.
These are factors that can influence how much a gunsmith makes per hour.
What are my options for finding a job as a gunsmith?
As a gunsmith, you would have acquired relevant skills for building, repairing, and maintaining firearms. So you can open a store to sell, repair, or maintain firearms.
You could also be hired by gun manufacturers or law enforcement agencies to make standard-issue or custom firearms. Another option is to work in retail stores to assist customers with firearm safety protocols.
Final Thoughts
If you are passionate about firearms and guns, now is an excellent time to make that hobby into a thriving career. Gunsmithing is quite lucrative, and all you would need is some extra training to master the necessary skills.
In addition, gunsmith schools offer beginner-friendly training and education. Therefore, the best way to start your gunsmithing journey is to enroll in the best gunsmith school in Alabama.