Alabama Big 10 Mayors Celebrate Ban on Glock Switch Devices
New Law Makes Possession of Trigger Activators a Felony Offense in the State
On Wednesday, the Alabama Big 10 Mayors released a united statement in strong support of Governor Kay Ivey after she officially signed new legislation into law making it a felony to possess a trigger activator — commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.” These small but dangerous devices can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms, dramatically increasing their lethality and use in violent crimes.
The Big 10 Mayors, representing Alabama’s most populous cities, have long advocated for a ban on Glock switches, citing the rising number of violent incidents tied to these devices. Their statement praises the state legislature and the governor for taking swift and meaningful action.
“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,” the mayors said collectively. “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. Today’s action makes all Alabama communities safer.”
Understanding Glock Switches and Their Danger
Trigger Activators Have Fueled a Rise in High-Casualty Shootings Across Alabama
A “Glock switch” may sound harmless or technical, but it is anything but. These trigger activators are illegal under federal law and are designed to convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon. This means that instead of firing one bullet per trigger pull, the gun can fire multiple rounds in a single second — turning a legal firearm into an unregulated, automatic weapon of war.
Over the past few years, Alabama law enforcement agencies have encountered a concerning rise in Glock switch use, particularly among younger criminals and in organized gang violence. Cities such as Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile have witnessed deadly shootings where these devices were used, leading to injuries and loss of life in incidents that might otherwise have been less severe.
The problem has grown so concerning that the mayors of Alabama’s ten largest cities banded together to push for legislative change. Known collectively as the “Alabama Big 10 Mayors,” they 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
- Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox
Their joint advocacy has been instrumental in pushing public safety to the forefront of the state legislative agenda.
The “Safer Alabama” Package and Future Steps
Governor Ivey, Mayors, and Lawmakers Unite for Statewide Public Safety Reforms
The new Glock switch law is a key component of the broader “Safer Alabama” legislative package, introduced earlier this year. The package is a bipartisan effort aimed at tackling the rising tide of violent crime through a mix of tougher enforcement laws, improved coordination among agencies, and community-focused initiatives.
Governor Kay Ivey, standing with members of the Alabama Big 10 Mayors group and legislative leaders, first announced the package in February. The Glock switch ban was singled out as one of the most urgent proposals within the legislation.
At the time of the announcement, Governor Ivey emphasized the need for proactive steps in crime prevention:
“We cannot sit by while our communities suffer from increasingly violent crimes enabled by illegal devices like the Glock switch. This legislation represents a commitment to law enforcement, to public safety, and to our families.”
The Glock switch bill was passed with strong bipartisan support, reflecting a growing consensus that while the Second Amendment remains protected, public safety must also be preserved. The law provides law enforcement with expanded authority to confiscate and prosecute possession of such devices at the state level, ensuring faster legal action than relying on federal enforcement alone.
Community Response and the Road Ahead
Citizens, Police, and Officials Reflect on the Impact of the Ban
The announcement has been met with widespread praise from community leaders, law enforcement officers, and residents concerned about safety. Police departments across Alabama have long expressed frustration with the proliferation of Glock switches, often stating that the existing federal laws were not enough to deter or prosecute offenders quickly.
Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert stated:
“This law gives us more tools to combat the weapons that pose the greatest danger to our neighborhoods. Fully automatic weapons have no place in civilian hands, and this ban will save lives.”
Similarly, community members have taken to social media to thank lawmakers for prioritizing safety over politics. Some shared personal stories of lives lost or altered by shootings involving automatic weapons, calling the law “a step in the right direction.”
Still, officials acknowledge that laws alone won’t solve the broader issues of violence and access to illegal firearm modifications. Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham emphasized the need for continued community investment:
“We must pair enforcement with education, youth engagement, and access to opportunity. The Glock switch ban is critical, but it’s one piece of a larger puzzle.”
Conclusion
The banning of Glock switches in Alabama represents a major milestone in the state’s efforts to combat violent crime. With support from the governor, law enforcement, and the Alabama Big 10 Mayors, this new law aims to make communities safer by targeting the tools that make shootings deadlier. As Alabama moves forward with its “Safer Alabama” plan, the hope is that such bipartisan efforts will continue to protect citizens, strengthen local governance, and restore peace in neighborhoods across the state.
Disclaimer – Our editorial team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and eliminate any potential misinformation. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity in our content.
