Holders of Alabama’s Concealed Carry Permit are no longer required to undergo additional background checks each time they purchase a firearm.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has agreed to Alabama Attorney Gen. Luther Strange’s request for an exemption to the mandatory National Instant Criminal Background Check provided the Alabama conceal carry permit was issued on or after Aug. 1, 2013, and within the past five years by the state, and that the permit has not expired under state law.

Previously, individuals had to undergo background checks each time they purchased a firearm, but under the new exemption individuals with a concealed carry permit issued on or after Aug. 1, 2013, within the past five years by the state, or the permit has not expired under state law, are not required to have a background check each time they purchase a firearm.

“I’m pleased that the ATF has approved my request to exempt Alabama conceal carry permit holders from having to undergo additional background checks each time they want to buy a firearm,” Strange said in a release. “Alabama concealed carry permit holders in good standing have already passed a background check, and there is no need to force them to submit to additional checks if they intend to buy a firearm within five years of receiving their permit.”

Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon said he signs off on all pistol permits that are issued in Chilton County.

“It seems like we have quite a few people applying for them,” Shearon said. “I feel like I sign off on a pretty good number of them each day.”

Shearon said currently, the criteria for someone to pass a background check when applying for a pistol permit in Chilton County would be to not have a felony conviction or a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.

“We will not issue a permit to someone who doesn’t meet the criteria we have when we do the background check,” Shearon said. “When I sign off on them, though, we are able to know who all is applying for one, which helps us to know who is carrying them.”

Alabama now joins 23 other states given NICS exemptions for concealed carry permit holders.