In a decisive move following a particularly deadly year marred by multiple mass shootings, Alabama lawmakers took a significant step on Tuesday by approving a ban on Glock switches and other devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. This legislative measure was spurred by a bipartisan coalition, galvanized by a spate of tragic incidents, including the September shooting that claimed four lives outside a Birmingham nightclub. While federal law already prohibits these conversion devices, Alabama had lacked a corresponding state law to enforce this ban within its own borders.
The Alabama Senate gave its nod with a 24-2 vote, agreeing to the amendments made by the House of Representatives. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Kay Ivey, who had previously underscored the importance of its passage in her State of the State address and is anticipated to sign it into law.
State Representative Phillip Ensler, a Democrat from Montgomery, heralded the bill’s passage as a testament to persistent bipartisan cooperation. “Passing gun safety legislation in Alabama is not easy,” Ensler stated. “However, our determined efforts have culminated in the passage of this life-saving legislation. While laws cannot reverse the tragedy for victims of gun violence, this ban holds the promise of saving lives in the days to come,” he added.
Sponsored by Republican state Senator Will Barfoot of Pike Road, the legislation introduces severe penalties for the possession or sale of these devices, classifying such offenses as a Class C felony, which may result in up to a decade of imprisonment. Once signed into law, the measure will be implemented immediately.
These conversion devices, as noted by Everytown for Gun Safety, are already banned under federal law and in 23 states. Advocates argue that a state-level ban offers local law enforcement the authority to take decisive action against those found in possession of the illegal items. Law enforcement officials warn that these devices enable a high-speed, uncontrollable discharge of bullets, substantially increasing the potential casualties during an attack.
Remarkably, the bill secured passage with minimal opposition, reflecting uncommon consensus on gun legislation within the deeply conservative state. Last year, Alabama lawmakers had voted to abolish the requirement for permits to carry concealed firearms in public spaces.
Alabama unfortunately ranks among states with the highest rates of gun violence in the nation. In 2022 alone, the state witnessed 1,278 gun-related fatalities, placing it as the state with the fourth-highest gun death rate, only surpassed by Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico.