State’s Big 10 Mayors applaud Glock switch ban

MONTGOMERY – A major piece of legislation, signed into law today by Gov. Kay Ivey, has been praised by mayors of the state’s largest cities as making “all Alabama communities safer.”

The Alabama Big 10 Mayors released their statement following statement after Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation into law that would make it a felony offense at the state level to be in possession of a trigger activator, often referred to as a Glock switch.

Trigger activators turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons and have been cited as a major public safety hazard in communities across Alabama.

“We are thrilled the state Legislature and Governor Ivey have given Alabama law enforcement the ability to get these extremely dangerous devices off our streets and out of our communities,” said the organization. “These devices have directly resulted in a number of high-casualty shootings in communities across Alabama, and empowering our law enforcement to act will go a long way in reducing violent crime that result from these devices.

“Today’s action makes all Alabama communities safer.”

The legislation follows ongoing advocacy to ban Glock Switches by the Big 10 Mayors, the organization said. In February, the Mmayors joined Ivey and legislative leadership to announce the “Safer Alabama” package of legislation, which included this Glock Switch ban.

“While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off our streets,” said Ivey. “I am proud to support law enforcement and work to combat crime by putting my signature on SB116.”

Representing the largest cities in Alabama, the Alabama Big 10 Mayors include Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.

With three out of every four Alabamians living in their metro areas, the Alabama Big 10 Mayors play a key role in moving the state forward and keeping Alabama a great place to live, work, and raise a family, the group said.