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Alabama Lawmakers Move to Ban Glock Switches and Conversion Devices
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a significant legislative move, Alabama lawmakers have approved a ban on Glock switches and similar conversion devices that transform semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. This decision comes in the wake of a troubling year marked by various mass shootings throughout the state.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers championed this legislation following a series of high-profile shootings, including the tragic death of four individuals outside of a Birmingham nightclub last September. While such devices are already outlawed at the federal level, Alabama had previously lacked a corresponding state law.
The Alabama Senate approved the House of Representatives’ amendments with a vote of 24-2, facilitating the bill’s progression to Governor Kay Ivey, who is anticipated to sign it into law after endorsing its passage during her recent State of the State address.
State Representative Phillip Ensler, a Democrat from Montgomery and a long-time advocate for the bill, remarked, “Achieving gun safety legislation in Alabama is challenging. However, the strong bipartisan effort has culminated in this crucial law aimed at saving lives.”
He further noted, “Although legislation cannot reverse the tragedies caused by gun violence, this ban is a step forward in preventing future occurrences.”
The bill’s chief sponsor, Republican state Senator Will Barfoot of Pike Road, highlighted the serious implications of this legislation, which classifies the ownership or sale of these devices as a Class C felony, potentially resulting in up to ten years of imprisonment.
If signed into law, the measure will take immediate effect. Currently, 23 states have adopted similar bans, as reported by Everytown for Gun Safety. Advocates believe that a state-level prohibition will empower local law enforcement to take action against individuals found in possession of these hazardous devices. Such conversion devices have been linked to creating devastating firing patterns, significantly raising the likelihood of mass casualties during violent incidents.
This bill encountered little opposition, reflecting a rare area of agreement on gun regulation within the deeply conservative political landscape of Alabama. It’s notable that just last year, Alabama legislators voted to eliminate the requirement for a permit to carry concealed handguns in public.
Alabama continues to face challenges related to gun violence, with a reported 1,278 firearms-related deaths in 2022, ranking it among the highest states in the nation for gun death rates, exceeded only by Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
Source
abcnews.go.com