MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Thursday, a rare show of unity emerged in Alabama as a bipartisan group comprising mayors, legislative members, and law enforcement officials endorsed a public safety initiative aimed at curbing gun violence. This initiative primarily focuses on prohibiting devices that enable semi-automatic weapons to function like machine guns, marking a significant shift from the contentious debates typically surrounding gun control measures.
While federal law already bans the use of conversion devices that accelerate the firing rate of semi-automatic firearms, Alabama currently lacks a state law addressing their possession. Among the proposed legislation is a bill enabling state prosecutors to equate the possession of these conversion devices with a criminal offense. Presently, 23 states along with Washington D.C. have enacted similar laws, as highlighted by the Giffords Law Center.
The call for stricter regulation on these devices gained urgency following the tragic incident of Birmingham’s third quadruple homicide in the previous year, which prompted Mayor Randall Woodfin to urge state lawmakers to take immediate action. After being endorsed by local law enforcement and leaders from both legislative assemblies, Mayor Woodfin acknowledged the day’s significance despite some remaining disagreements. He expressed hope that this collective recognition of the issue could bring about positive change.
On the same day, Alabama’s Senate judiciary committee moved forward with two bills, proposed by both Republican and Democratic members, that would classify the possession of a machine gun conversion device as a felony. Authorities assert that these devices, commonly known as Glock switches, significantly increase the potential for gun violence. They can be quickly produced using a 3D printer or purchased online internationally for a nominal price of under $30.
A conversion device was allegedly involved in a September shooting incident that resulted in four fatalities outside a lounge in Birmingham. Additionally, a man was arrested in November for having a machine gun conversion device following a shooting at Tuskegee University, which left one person dead and 16 others injured. Hal Taylor, the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, remarked that this political alignment signifies a recognition of the severity of gun violence and the imperative to ensure officer safety.
Taylor noted, “They’ve realized that a bullet doesn’t know if you’re a Democrat or Republican,” highlighting the nonpartisan nature of the threat posed by gun violence.
However, not all elements of Governor Kay Ivey’s public safety package have garnered such widespread approval. The proposal also includes measures aimed at increasing penalties for illegal firearm possession, imposing stricter sentences for discharging firearms into occupied vehicles or residences, and expanding circumstances under which bail can be denied, alongside enhancing protections for officers accused of excessive force.
While Democratic representatives celebrated the ban on conversion devices and the introduction of a scholarship fund for the children of slain law enforcement officers, some voiced significant reservations about other provisions within the governor’s plan. Representative Thomas Jackson acknowledged the hardships faced by law enforcement but cautioned against overly lenient legal protections. He emphasized that officers should uphold a higher standard of conduct, given the authority vested in them.
“Being a law enforcement officer doesn’t mean that you’re above the law. In fact, due to the power that comes along with the duties of our police, officers should be held to an even higher standard of ethics and behavior with accountability,” Jackson declared, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to public safety legislation.
