- Bipartisan bill makes possession a Class C felony with 10-year maximum sentence
- 23 states already ban devices that enable 1,200+ rounds per minute
- Alabama ranks 4th nationally in firearm mortality rates
In a historic shift for one of America’s most firearm-friendly states, Alabama legislators have closed a critical legal loophole in weapon regulations. The new law specifically targets auto-sears – small metal components colloquially called Glock switches – that transform semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons capable of emptying 30-round magazines in under two seconds.
Public safety analysts note this marks Alabama’s first major gun control measure since 2022’s controversial permitless carry law. The legislation gained urgency after Birmingham’s September 2023 mass shooting outside a nightclub, where modified weapons left four dead and 12 wounded. Forensic reports showed attackers used conversion devices to fire 47 rounds in 9 seconds.
While federal law already prohibits these devices, Alabama’s absence of state-level statutes forced prosecutors to rely on overburdened U.S. attorneys. Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert testified that 83% of illegal weapons seized in 2023 contained conversion components, but only 12% faced federal charges due to jurisdictional constraints.
The law’s immediate implementation upon Governor Ivey’s signature reflects Alabama’s troubling violence metrics. Recent CDC data shows the state suffers 25.4 firearm deaths per 100,000 residents – double the national average. Jefferson County alone recorded 97 conversion device-related injuries in 2023, a 214% increase from 2020.
Three critical insights emerge from this policy shift:
- Southern states now lead conversion device seizures, accounting for 37% of national totals
- 3D-printed auto-sears cost under $1 to manufacture, complicating enforcement
- Ballistic analysis shows modified weapons increase bystander injuries by 68%
Law enforcement veterans emphasize the tactical implications. A standard Glock 19 holds 15 rounds,explains Mobile SWAT Commander Lisa Williams. With a switch, officers face 600 rounds per minute from a $500 handgun – firepower rivaling military rifles.
The bill’s swift passage (24-2 Senate vote) contrasts with Alabama’s traditionally pro-gun stance, suggesting evolving priorities in public safety strategy. However, Second Amendment advocates warn against broader implications, with Alabama Gun Rights Coalition director Tom Spencer stating: This targets criminal misuse without infringing on lawful ownership.