Alabama legislators have passed a new law prohibiting devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into machine guns, such as Glock switches. This decision follows a year marked by several tragic mass shootings, including a deadly incident outside a Birmingham nightclub in September.
The Alabama Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, which had already been adjusted by the House of Representatives. It now awaits the signature of Governor Kay Ivey, who has expressed her support for the measure in her State of the State address.
State Representative Phillip Ensler, a Democrat from Montgomery, emphasized the difficulty of passing gun safety laws in Alabama but highlighted the importance of bipartisan cooperation in achieving this legislative success. He noted that while the law cannot reverse past tragedies, it aims to prevent future ones.
Republican Senator Will Barfoot of Pike Road introduced the bill, which categorizes the possession or sale of these conversion devices as a Class C felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. If signed, the law will be enacted immediately.
Although these devices are already prohibited under federal law and in 23 states, advocates argue that a state-level ban will empower local authorities to take action against offenders. Law enforcement officials warn that these devices can cause firearms to discharge bullets rapidly and uncontrollably, increasing the potential for mass casualties.
The bill's passage marks a rare moment of agreement on gun control in Alabama, a state known for its strong support of gun rights. In 2022, Alabama eliminated the requirement for permits to carry concealed handguns in public. The state also has one of the highest rates of gun-related deaths in the nation, with 1,278 fatalities recorded in 2022, ranking just below Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico.