Mayor Woodfin stands for State Capital Public Safety Legislation – Birmingham (.gov)

Mayor Randal L. Woodfin asked the Senate Judicial System Committee to support a state ban on firearm conversion devices, commonly known as “Glock Switches” earlier today in Montgomery.

“There are too many grieving mothers in Birmingham and other cities in the state who have lost their child because of the use of these machine gun conversion devices,” Mayor Udfin told the committee. “In 2024, we had two mass shootings where machine gun conversion devices were used in both.”

The Committee approved two bills and sent them to the full senate for consideration. And the SB31, sponsored by Senator Roger Smithman of Birmingham, and SB 116, sponsored by Senator Will Barfut of Montgomery, will master devices to transform a crime of class C to Alabama.

“We want to be sure in 2025 and beyond those who produce, sell and own devices for converting machine guns, and especially those who use them, will be held accountable,” said Mayor Woodfin in prepared comments to the committee.

Mayor Woodfin and mayors from Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Mobile also joined the governor Kay Ivy and the legislative management in Capitol as she discussed the Safe Alabama public safety package. The bills include a state prohibition of Glock switches, firing penalties for firing in occupied dwellings and vehicles and a prohibition on the possession of firearms for convicted criminals and persons awaiting a lawsuit for violence crimes.

“In Birmingham, we are focused on the laser to improve public safety,” said Mayor Woodfin. “We work diligently with other mayors, governor and our state legislators to make sure that our police officers have more instruments to reduce violence with weapons and protect our residents and businesses.”

Earlier this week, Mayor Udfin joined the sheriff of the County Jefferson Mark Pettway and his commanding headquarters; District Prosecutor of Jefferson Danny Carr; Numerous members of the legislative delegation of Jefferson County, including Senator Merika Coleman, Senator Linda Coleman Madison, Senator Smithman, reporter Kelvin Dutcher, reporter Travis Hendrix and reporter Neal Rafrty; Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety of the Birmingham Municipal Council Latonya Tate; And the temporary chief of the police, Mike Pickett and his command staff, to vote for support to ban the state for Glock switches.

Mayor Udfin’s intercession on public safety legislation is part of a comprehensive effort to combat arms violence in the city. Mayor Woodfin and the Birmingham City Council approved a $ 16 million raising and detention program in October to increase the number of police officers. Mayor Woodfin set up an independent crime committee to receive public contribution, review the criminal justice system and identify successful efforts to reduce violence in other cities. Under his leadership, the city is currently reviewing and considering 82 recommendations provided by this committee. The Birmingham City Council approved $ 2 million to support the Strategy of the Mayor Safety Initiatives, which is brought into line with the recommendations published in the report. The Woodfin administration continues to process close cooperation between the Sheriff of Jefferson County Sheriff, the state and the federal law enforcement partners.

Mayor Randal L. Woodfin’s comments to the Alabama Senate Committee at the Judiciary Committee

Thank you, Chairman Barfut.

Thank you, Senator Smithman and Senator Coleman-Medison of Jefferson County.

Thank you, members of the Judicial System Committee.

What you all do here today, related to machine gun conversion devices, will save Alabamaan’s life.

In Birmingham and in other cities throughout the country, there are too many grieving mothers who have lost their children because of the use of these machine gun conversion devices. Too many children have lost parents due to the use of machine gun deviation devices.

In 2024, we had two mass shootings where machine gun conversion devices were used in both.

Innocent lives stolen by families.

Birmingham would not have had the most deadly year if these conversion devices were not used in these two cases and others.

We want to make sure that in 2025 and beyond those who produce, sell and own devices for converting machine guns, and especially those who use them will be held accountable.

We ask this committee today to send a strong message that such devices have no place on the streets of Alabama and you will be arrested and persecuted.

Today, you have the power to give the law enforcement authorities they need.

Please think of an automatic 10 years of just possession and I ask if the government Ivy signs this in law without delay.

Thank you for letting me talk this morning and thank you for your time on this public safety issue.