Use of glock switches has injured, killed countless in the Port City; new law could soon ban them

The Alabama House recently approved a significant bill aimed at banning glock switches, small modifications that enable handguns to function as fully automatic weapons. This legislation comes in the wake of a tragic mass shooting on New Year’s Eve in Downtown Mobile, where one person was killed and nine others injured, with two of the firearms used modified by glock switches.

Representatives, including Philip Ensler from Montgomery, have been advocating for a glock switch ban for three years now. Last year, a similar proposal passed in the House but failed to secure a Senate vote. By adapting their strategy this year to push the bill through the Senate first, Ensler and his colleagues successfully garnered approval, leading to the House's recent action.

While federal law already prohibits the possession of glock switches, the new state legislation would empower local prosecutors to take action in such cases. If the bill is signed into law, it would classify glock switch possession as a Class C felony, mirroring federal policies and emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. Ensler highlighted the human impact of this legislation, emphasizing the loss families have experienced and the dangers posed to law enforcement.

The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon being signed by Governor Kay Ivey, addressing what Ensler views as a critical public safety concern. "It's a matter of life or death," he stated, underlining the urgency of the issue.

Currently, the bill is set to return to the Senate for final concurrence before it reaches the governor's desk for approval. Governor Ivey has expressed her intention to sign the legislation, indicating broad support for this measure aimed at reducing gun violence in Alabama.