AL HB445

Requires all firearms forfeited, abandoned, or acquired by state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to be disposed of through public auction or direct sale to licensed firearms dealers, collectors, importers, or manufacturers under federal law.

Mandates law enforcement agencies make reasonable efforts to return firearms to innocent owners who lost or had them stolen before disposal, unless the owner is ineligible under state or federal law.

Allows auctions to be conducted online on a rolling basis or at live events, but requires at least one sale event every three months, with proceeds going to the state, county, or municipal general fund solely for law enforcement purposes.

Prohibits law enforcement employees from bidding on auctioned firearms and exempts unsafe firearms (due to wear, damage, age, or modification) from auction requirements, allowing their transfer to the Department of Forensic Sciences, museums, or destruction.

Grants limited immunity to the state and political subdivisions from liability for damages resulting from firearm sales, except in cases of gross negligence or recklessness, and requires agencies to maintain records of all firearms and proceeds for at least 10 years.