MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Thursday passed SB 308 as substituted, which would establish the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act.

The legislation would standardize the process statewide for the issuance of concealed carry permits. Right now, this process — including fees and forms involved — varies county-by-county.

SB 308 would notably create a lifetime concealed carry permit, which would cost a uniform $300 upon issuance.

One-year and five-year permits will still be able to be issued.

The bill would also create a state firearms prohibited person database by which relevant data may be maintained and provided to law enforcement agencies, including sheriffs.

SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika), now heads to the House.

The substitute version of the bill passed by the Senate came as a result of Price working with interested parties on a compromise related to the fee structure involved in the act. He also introduced a version of this legislation last year.

The vote on SB 308 was 25-6.

Under the bill, no fee would be charged when issuing a lifetime carry permit to a service member, a retired or honorably discharged military veteran, a law enforcement officer, or an honorably retired law enforcement officer.

Thursday was the 18th day of the legislature’s 2021 regular session.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn