Alabama House Unanimously Passes HB 192, Strengthening Standards for Self‑Defense Claims

February 2026 - MONTGOMERY - The Alabama House of Representatives voted 104–0 this week to advance HB 192, a measure sponsored by State Rep. David Faulkner (R‑Mountain Brook) that tightens the rules surrounding weapons used in self‑defense cases. The bill now moves to the Senate with rare, unanimous bipartisan support.

Faulkner said the legislation is designed to reinforce the integrity of Alabama's Stand Your Ground framework by ensuring that self‑defense claims are supported by evidence rather than assumptions.

At the center of the bill is a simple principle: if a person uses deadly force and claims self‑defense, the weapon involved must be preserved and turned over to law enforcement. If the weapon is altered, hidden, or destroyed, the legal presumption that the individual acted in self‑defense would no longer apply.

"The principle is straightforward: if you use deadly force and claim self-defense, you should be willing to hand your weapon over to law enforcement," Faulkner said. "If instead you alter it, hide it, or destroy it, the law should no longer presume you acted in self-defense."

Faulkner emphasized that the bill is not intended to punish legitimate self‑defense or create new hurdles for law‑abiding citizens who protect themselves or their families. Instead, he said, it ensures that the legal system has the evidence it needs to evaluate claims fairly.

"If the weapon is no longer available, you can still overcome that presumption by explaining to the court why," he said. "The burden simply shifts appropriately, and that's how it should be."

Under current Alabama law, individuals who use deadly force in self‑defense are granted a presumption that their actions were justified. HB 192 does not eliminate that protection; it clarifies that the presumption depends on the availability of the weapon for investigative review.

Supporters of the bill say it closes a loophole that has allowed some defendants to benefit from Stand Your Ground protections even when they intentionally disposed of or altered the weapon involved. Law enforcement officials have long argued that the absence of the weapon can complicate investigations and hinder the ability to determine whether a shooting was justified.

Faulkner framed the bill as a reinforcement - not a revision - of Alabama's existing self‑defense laws.

"Alabama's Stand Your Ground law exists to protect those who protect themselves," he said. "This bill makes sure self-defense claims are backed by evidence, not just words."

With the House's unanimous vote, HB 192 now heads to the Alabama Senate, where it is expected to receive committee consideration in the coming weeks.