Alabama
Alabama Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protection from Abuse Order
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 17, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 17, 2026. · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Alabama, a Protection from Abuse Order (PFA Order) is available to victims of domestic violence and abuse within qualifying relationships. A final PFA Order is of permanent duration unless the court specifies otherwise. Filing is free under Alabama law.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential help 24/7, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788).
Types of restraining orders in Alabama
Alabama's primary civil protective order for victims of domestic violence is the Protection from Abuse Order, governed by the Protection from Abuse Act at Ala. Code sections 30-5-1 through 30-5-11. A PFA Order can prohibit the respondent from contacting you, coming near your home or workplace, and committing any further acts of abuse or harassment. It can also grant temporary custody of children and use of a shared residence.
Alabama does not have a standalone civil harassment order for victims who do not have a domestic or household relationship with the person harassing or threatening them. If you are being stalked or harassed by someone who is not a family member, household member, or dating partner, your remedies in Alabama are primarily through criminal harassment or stalking statutes (Ala. Code sections 13A-11-8 and 13A-6-90), which can result in a criminal no-contact condition but not a separate civil protective order track.
Alabama does recognize an Elder Abuse Protection Order for older adults who are victims of exploitation or abuse, which covers situations beyond the standard domestic relationship. If the situation involves elder abuse, ask the court clerk about that separate remedy. When the exploitation is financial, our guide to elder fraud explains where to report it, from the bank or payment company to Adult Protective Services.
Who can get a restraining order in Alabama?
To qualify for a Protection from Abuse Order in Alabama, you must have a qualifying relationship with the person you are seeking the order against. Alabama's statute covers a broad range of relationships:
- Current or former spouses
- Parents, stepparents, or children
- Grandparents, step-grandparents, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren
- Any person with whom the petitioner has a child in common
- A current or former household member. Under Ala. Code section 30-5-2(7)d., as amended by Act 2023-494, a household member excludes non-romantic or non-intimate co-residents, so a roommate you were never romantically or intimately involved with does not qualify on this basis
- A relative of a current or former household member who also lived with the respondent
- Dating partners
If you do not fall within one of these categories, the PFA Order track is not available, and you would need to pursue criminal remedies for harassment or stalking. This is important to understand before filing. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, a court self-help center or domestic-violence advocate can help you assess your options.
Minors may be named as protected persons in a parent's PFA Order. Alabama courts also address situations where abuse is directed at children in the household.
How to file for a restraining order in Alabama
You file a petition for a Protection from Abuse Order in circuit court. Under Ala. Code section 30-5-2(2), the case may be heard by a circuit court judge, by a district court judge appointed as a special circuit court judge, or by a district court judge designated by a written standing order of the presiding circuit judge to handle protection from abuse cases. You may file in any county where you currently reside, where the respondent resides, or where the abuse occurred. This gives you flexibility in choosing a venue that feels safer or more convenient for you.
The petition asks you to describe the abuse or threat of abuse and your relationship with the respondent. You do not need a police report to file; you describe the situation in your own words. Standardized petition forms are available through the circuit clerks offices statewide, though Ala. Code section 30-5-5(b) bars the clerk from helping you complete them or present your case. Many local domestic-violence organizations also offer free help with the paperwork and can accompany you to court.
Under Ala. Code section 30-5-5(g)(1), no court costs or fees may be assessed for the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order or a petition for one, and section 30-5-5(g)(2) extends that to witness subpoenas. You will not pay anything to get the order. Section 30-5-5(g)(3) lets the court assess costs and fees against the defendant instead.
After you file, the court must grant or deny an ex parte temporary order within three business days of filing if there is sufficient reason to believe you are in danger; many courts act sooner, and some issue the order the same day. The respondent is then served with the order, and a full hearing must be held within 10 days of service. At the final hearing, both sides can present evidence and testimony before the judge decides whether to issue a final PFA Order. Since the clerk cannot help you present your case, get a free case evaluation from an Alabama family lawyer on your evidence and testimony for that hearing (attorney advertising).
Temporary vs. final orders: how long they last
Alabama uses two stages for protective orders:
| Order Type | When Issued | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary (ex parte) PFA Order | Within 3 business days of filing, without respondent present | Until the full hearing (hearing within 10 days of service) |
| Final PFA Order | After hearing with notice to respondent | Permanent by default; the court may specify a different term, or amend the order on a later petition |
The temporary order is issued based only on your petition, because waiting for the respondent to receive notice could place you at greater risk. It gives you immediate protection while the court schedules the full hearing.
At the full hearing, the judge considers evidence from both parties and decides whether to issue a final PFA Order. Under Ala. Code section 30-5-7(d)(2), a final protection order is of permanent duration unless otherwise specified or modified by a subsequent court order. A limited term is the exception the judge has to write into the order, not the default. While a final order is in effect, either party may petition the court to amend it, and the court rules after a hearing.
Firearms and an Alabama protective order
Alabama law takes the firearm consequence of a PFA Order seriously. Once a qualifying final PFA Order is issued after notice and a hearing, the federal firearm ban at 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) applies. This means the respondent is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition for the duration of the order.
Alabama also has its own separate firearm prohibition at Ala. Code section 13A-11-72(a)(1)d., which makes it a Class C felony for a person subject to a valid protection order for domestic abuse to own a firearm or have one in his or her possession or control. That statute is a possession ban carrying a criminal penalty. It does not create a surrender, relinquishment, or turn-in procedure, and neither does the Protection from Abuse Act.
If you are concerned that the respondent has access to weapons, tell the judge at the time of filing or at the hearing. Ala. Code section 30-5-7(b)(9) lets the court order other relief it considers necessary for your safety, but no Alabama statute lists firearm surrender as a form of PFA relief, so do not assume the order will require a turn-in. Keeping documentation of any known firearms the respondent possesses can be helpful information to share with your advocate or attorney.
What happens if someone violates the order?
Violating a PFA Order in Alabama is a criminal offense. The first violation is charged as a Class A misdemeanor under Ala. Code section 13A-6-142, which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. Alabama law authorizes police to make a warrantless arrest when they have probable cause to believe a PFA Order has been violated.
Repeat violations carry escalating consequences under the same statute. A second conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail that the court cannot suspend or reduce below that threshold. A third or subsequent conviction is elevated to a Class C felony, which carries a potential sentence of one to ten years in state prison under Alabama's felony sentencing guidelines. Effective October 1, 2026, Act 2026-532 amends this section to shift original jurisdiction over these prosecutions to district court in most cases (unless the order was issued by a municipal court or the case falls under juvenile-court jurisdiction); the misdemeanor and felony penalty tiers described above are not changed by that act.
If the respondent contacts you, comes to your home or workplace, or commits any act the order prohibits, you should call 911 immediately. Give the responding officer a copy of your order. You can also report violations to the court that issued the order, and the court can hold the respondent in contempt in addition to criminal charges.
Keep a copy of your order with you at all times. You may also give copies to your employer, your children's school, and any other locations the order covers. Each reported violation builds a record that supports the mandatory minimums and felony escalation should the respondent continue to violate the order.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and it is not a safety plan. Protective-order rules vary by state and change. If you are in danger, call 911. For help with your specific situation, contact your local court's self-help center, a domestic-violence advocate, or a licensed attorney.
Related pages
For more background on protective orders across the country, visit the main Restraining Order Laws by State hub. Alabama's recording laws may also be relevant if you are documenting incidents of harassment or abuse; see the Alabama recording law page for details on what you are permitted to record in the state.
More Alabama Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a restraining order in Alabama?
File a petition for a Protection from Abuse Order in circuit court in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. The court must grant or deny a temporary order within three business days of filing, and many act sooner. There is no filing fee. Standardized petition forms are available from the circuit clerk, who by statute cannot help you complete them, and local domestic-violence organizations offer free help with the paperwork.
How long does a restraining order last in Alabama?
A temporary PFA Order lasts until the full hearing, which must occur within 10 days of the respondent being served. A final PFA Order is of permanent duration under Ala. Code section 30-5-7(d)(2) unless the court specifies a different term or modifies it by a later order. Either party may petition the court to amend the order while it is in effect.
How much does a restraining order cost in Alabama?
Filing for a Protection from Abuse Order is free. Ala. Code section 30-5-5(g) bars any court costs or fees for the filing, issuance, registration, modification, enforcement, dismissal, withdrawal, or service of a protection order or a petition for one, and for witness subpoenas. The court may assess costs against the defendant instead.
Can I get a restraining order without a police report?
Yes. You do not need a police report to file for a PFA Order in Alabama. You describe the abuse or threat in your petition to the court. A police report can be helpful supporting evidence, but it is not required.
Does a restraining order take away gun rights in Alabama?
Yes. A qualifying final PFA Order triggers the federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8), which bars the respondent from possessing firearms or ammunition. Ala. Code section 13A-11-72(a)(1)d. separately makes it a Class C felony in Alabama for a person subject to a valid domestic-abuse protection order to own or possess a firearm. Both are possession bans; Alabama law does not set up a firearm surrender or turn-in process.
What happens if the abuser violates the order?
Violating a PFA Order is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $6,000. A second conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days that cannot be suspended. A third or subsequent conviction is a Class C felony under Ala. Code section 13A-6-142. Police may arrest without a warrant on probable cause. Call 911 immediately if the order is violated, and provide a copy of the order to the responding officer.
What is the difference between a restraining order and a Protection from Abuse Order in Alabama?
They refer to the same thing in Alabama. The official legal term is Protection from Abuse Order (PFA Order). 'Restraining order' is a commonly used informal term. Alabama does not have a separate civil harassment restraining order for non-domestic situations; the PFA Order is the primary civil protective order in the state.
Updates
Corrected the duration of a final Alabama protection order, which is permanent by default under Ala. Code 30-5-7(d)(2) rather than one year; removed an incorrect statement that Alabama requires respondents to surrender firearms; added the statutory exclusion of non-romantic co-residents from the household-member category; and re-sourced the fee waiver to Ala. Code 30-5-5(g) instead of the federal Violence Against Women Act.
Corrected the ex parte timing standard (Alabama courts must act within three business days, not guaranteed the same day), fixed all three citation links to point to the actual Alabama Code sections instead of the courts' homepage, added the two qualifying-relationship categories the page had omitted (grandparents/grandchildren and relatives of a household member), and noted an upcoming October 2026 jurisdictional amendment to the violation statute.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Code of Alabama 1975, Title 30: Marital and Domestic Relations.
§ 30-5-7Ex Parte Orders or Modification of Protection Order.In force
(a) If it appears from a petition for a protection order or a petition to modify a protection order that abuse has occurred or from a petition for a modification of a protection order that a modification is warranted, the court may do any of the following: (1) Without notice or hearing, immediately issue an ex parte protection order or modify an ex parte protection order as it deems necessary. (2) After providing notice as required by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, issue a final protection order or modify a protection order after a hearing whether or not the defendant appears. (b) A court may grant any of the following relief without notice and a hearing in an ex parte protection order or an ex parte modification of a protection order: (1) Enjoin the defendant from threatening to commit or committing acts of abuse, as defined in this chapter, against the plaintiff or children of the plaintiff, and any other person designated by the court. (2)a.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-08 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
§ 30-5-6Hearing on Petition; Temporary Orders.In force
(a) The court shall hold a hearing after the filing of a petition under this chapter upon the request of the defendant or within 10 days of the perfection of service. A final hearing shall be set at which the standard of proof shall be a preponderance of the evidence. If the defendant has not been served, a final hearing may be continued to allow for service to be perfected. (b) The court may enter such temporary ex parte protection orders as it deems necessary to protect the plaintiff or children from abuse, or the immediate and present danger of abuse to the plaintiff or children, upon good cause shown. The court shall grant or deny a petition for a temporary ex parte protection order filed under this chapter within three business days of the filing of the petition. Any granted temporary ex parte protection order shall be effective until the final hearing date. (c) If a final hearing under subsection (a) is continued, the court may make or extend temporary ex parte protection orders under subsection (b) as it deems reasonably necessary.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Leftwich v. VANSANDT (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2008, 995 So. 2d 172)“…th analogous precedent in this area. In a manner similar to Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-6 (a), which is a portion of Alabama's Pr…”
- G.M.B. v. J.J.B. (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2026)“…der shall be effective until the final hearing date." Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-6(b) (emphasis added). Nothing in the rec…”
- United States v. Edward Gyn Hamm (Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 2005, 134 F. App'x 328)“…hildren, upon good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding.” Ala. Code § 30-5-6(b). Within fourteen days of the filing…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 30-5-5Standing to File Sworn Petition for Protection Order; Disclosure of Information; Costs and Fees.In force
(a) The following persons have standing to file a sworn petition for a protection order under this chapter as a plaintiff: (1) A person who is at least 18 years old or is otherwise emancipated and is the victim of abuse, as defined in Section 30-5-2, or has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of abuse. (2) A parent, legal guardian, next friend, court-appointed guardian ad litem, or the State Department of Human Resources may petition for relief on behalf of the following: a. A minor child. b. Any person prevented by physical or mental incapacity from seeking a protection order. (b) Standardized petitions for actions pursuant to this chapter shall be made available through the circuit clerks’ offices around the state. The circuit clerk shall not provide assistance to persons in completing the forms or in presenting their case to the court. (c) A sworn petition shall allege the incidents of abuse, the specific facts and circumstances that form the basis upon which relief is sought, and that the plaintiff genuinely fears subsequent acts of abuse by the defendant. (d) The court shall not enter mutual orders.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Boyd v. Ottman (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2006, 961 So. 2d 148)“…Protection from Abuse” in the Madison Circuit Court. See Ala.Code 1975, § 30-5-5(b) (“Forms for petitions, motions, and…”
- Shawn Barnett v. Brooklyn Barnett (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2026)“…of a PFA action by a pro se litigant appears to contravene Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-5(b), which states, in pertinent part, t…”
- Ex parte Wendy L. Hudson PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (In re: Wendy Hudson v. Gary Hudson) (Madison Circuit Court: DR-25-3131) (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2025)“…t of this state or any other state." (emphasis added)); and Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-5(d)("The court shall issue separate orde…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 30-5-2Definitions.In force
In this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) ABUSE. An act committed against a victim, which is any of the following: a. Arson. Arson as defined under Sections 13A-7-40 to 13A-7-43, inclusive. b. Assault. Assault as defined under Sections 13A-6-20 to 13A-6-22, inclusive. c. Attempt. Attempt as defined under Section 13A-4-2. d. Child Abuse. Torture or willful abuse of a child, aggravated child abuse, or chemical endangerment of a child as provided in Chapter 15, commencing with Section 26-15-1, of Title 26, known as the Alabama Child Abuse Act. e. Criminal Coercion. Criminal coercion as defined under Section 13A-6-25. f. Criminal Trespass. Criminal trespass as defined under Sections 13A-7-2 to 13A-7-4.1, inclusive. g. Harassment. Harassment as defined under Section 13A-11-8. h. Kidnapping. Kidnapping as defined under Sections 13A-6-43 and 13A-6-44. i. Menacing. Menacing as defined under Section 13A-6-23. j. Other Conduct. Any other conduct directed toward a plaintiff covered by this chapter that could be punished as a criminal act under the laws of this state. k. Reckless Endangerment.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Boyd v. Ottman (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2006, 961 So. 2d 148)“…venting acts of abuse,” as that term is defined in the Act. Ala.Code 1975, § 30-5-2(a)(6). The Act defines “abuse” as “[t…”
- Placey v. Placey (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2010, 51 So. 3d 374)“…ircuit court or a district court, but not a juvenile court, Ala.Code 1975, § 30-5-2(a)(3), this court has concluded that th…”
- Shawn Barnett v. Brooklyn Barnett (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2026)“…l-court judge began his questioning by asking 5See Ala. Code 1975, 30-5-2(1), defining the term "abuse" to includ…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 30-5-1Short Title; Construction; Purposes.In force
(a) This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the Protection From Abuse Act. (b) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote all of the following purposes: (1) To assure victims of domestic violence the maximum protection from abuse that the law can provide. (2) To create a flexible and speedy remedy to discourage violence and harassment against family members or others with whom the perpetrator has continuing contact. (3) To expand the ability of law enforcement officers to assist victims, to enforce the law effectively in cases of domestic violence, and to prevent further incidents of abuse. (4) To facilitate equal enforcement of criminal law by deterring and punishing violence against family members and others who are personally involved with the perpetrators. (5) To recognize that domestic violence is a crime that will not be excused or tolerated. (6) To provide for protection orders to prevent domestic violence and provide for court jurisdiction and venue; to provide for court hearing for petitions for relief; and to provide for the contents and the issuance of protection orders.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
Cited in 22 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Ex parte Wendy L. Hudson PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (In re: Wendy Hudson v. Gary Hudson) (Madison Circuit Court: DR-25-3131) (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2025)“…der the Alabama Protection from Abuse Act ("the PFA Act"), Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-1 et seq., and seeking relief against the…”
- R.T.B. v. Calhoun County Department of Human Resources (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2009, 19 So. 3d 198)“…a protection-from-abuse order against M.B. See Ala.Code 1975, § 30-5-1 et seq. On June 23, 2005, when the sher…”
- Stringer v. Stringer (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 1997, 689 So. 2d 194)“…ught and received help under the Protection from Abuse Act, Ala. Code 1975, § 30-5-1 , which provides relief to "spouses [an…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Code of Alabama 1975, Title 13A: Criminal Code.
§ 13A-6-142Violation of a Domestic Violation Protection Order; Penalties. (Amended by Act 2026-532)In force
AMENDED BY ACT 2026-532, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE. (a) A person commits the crime of violation of a domestic violence protection order if the person knowingly commits any act prohibited by a domestic violence protection order or willfully fails to abide by any term of a domestic violence protection order. (b) A violation of a domestic violence protection order is a Class A misdemeanor which shall be punishable as provided by law. A second conviction for violation of a domestic violence protection order, in addition to any other penalty or fine, shall be punishable by a minimum of 30 days imprisonment which may not be suspended. A third or subsequent conviction is a Class C felony. (c) In addition to any other fine or penalty provided by law, the court shall order the defendant to pay an additional fine of fifty dollars ($50) for a violation of a domestic violence protection order to be distributed to the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, established by Section 30-6-11.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
§ 13A-11-72Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearm.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a)(1) A person may not own a firearm or have a firearm in his or her possession or under his or her control if any of the following apply: a. The person has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of any kind of felony offense within the previous five years. b. The person has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of three or more felony offenses of any kind at any time; provided the felony offense convictions used to support a charge under this paragraph each arose from a different indictment or complaint or otherwise arose on a different date of charge. c. The person has been convicted in this state or elsewhere of committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence as defined in Section 13A-11-70, misdemeanor offense of domestic violence as defined in subsection (h), or a violent offense as defined in Section 12-25-32. d. The person is subject to a valid protection order for domestic abuse. e. The person is of unsound mind. (2) A violation of this subsection is a Class C felony.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-23 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at alison.legislature.state.al.us
Cited in 21 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Ingram v. State (Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama 1993, 629 So. 2d 800)“…icted of the illegal possession of a pistol in violation of Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-11-72 (a), and was sentenced to five years' i…”
- Ex Parte Johnson (Supreme Court of Alabama 1993, 620 So. 2d 665)“…Cr. App. 1991) affirming his conviction for a violation of Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-11-72 (a). That section prohibits a person wh…”
- Ex parte Madison County Department of Human Resources PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (In re: In the matter of D.W.) (Madison Juvenile Court: JU-21-454.02) (Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama 2024)“…th "certain persons forbidden to possess [a] firearm." See Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-11-72. She testified that she would not cons…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Alabama Knife Laws (2026): What Is Legal to Carry, Alabama Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026)
United States Code Title 18
§ 922Unlawful actsIn forcecited in 72 of our articles
It shall be unlawful— for any person— except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or in the course of such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm in interstate or foreign commerce; or except a licensed importer or licensed manufacturer, to engage in the business of importing or manufacturing ammunition, or in the course of such business, to ship, transport, or receive any ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce; for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that— this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned in compliance…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-16 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 40,024 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):Section 922(g)(1) bars a felon from possessing a firearm, and the Supreme Court cases in this line turn on sentencing, not on the ban. Taylor v. United States (1990) and Shepard v. United States (2005) held that whether prior convictions enhance a 922(g) sentence under 924(e) is decided from offense elements and limited plea records.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Booker (Supreme Court of the United States 2004, 543 U.S. 220)“…e Johnson with one crime (say, illegal gun possession, see 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)) and Jackson with another (say, ban…”
- Almendarez-Torres v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1998, 523 U.S. 224)“…cidivism an offense element in such circumstances. But cf. 18 U. S. C. § 922 (g)(1) (prior felony conviction an elem…”
- Taylor v. United States (Supreme Court of the United States 1990, 495 U.S. 575)✓Taylor pleaded guilty to felon-in-possession under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and had two Missouri burglary convictions; the Court held that 'burglary' in the § 924(e) enhancement attached to a § 922(g) conviction means generic burglary judged by the prior statute's elements.
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Can You Become an ICE Agent with a Criminal Record? (2026 Guide), How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record? (2026), Supreme Court Limits the Federal Gun Ban on Marijuana Users (Hemani, 2026)
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- Ala. Code sections 30-5-1 through 30-5-11 (Protection from Abuse Act)(alison.legislature.state.al.us).gov
- Ala. Code section 13A-11-72 (firearm prohibition under protective order)(alison.legislature.state.al.us).gov
- Ala. Code section 13A-6-142 (violation of a PFA Order)(alison.legislature.state.al.us).gov
- Ala. Code section 30-5-7 (relief in ex parte and final protection orders; subsection (d)(2), final protection orders are of permanent duration unless otherwise specified)(alison.legislature.state.al.us)
- Ala. Code section 30-5-5 (standing to petition; subsection (b), clerk may not assist with forms; subsection (g), no court costs or fees)(alison.legislature.state.al.us)
- Ala. Code section 30-5-2 (definitions; subsection (2), court; subsection (7)d., household member excludes non-romantic or non-intimate co-residents)(alison.legislature.state.al.us)
- Ala. Code section 30-5-6 (hearing within 10 days of perfection of service; ex parte decision within three business days)(alison.legislature.state.al.us)