Birmingham Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Bump Stocks After Deadly Shooting

Birmingham Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Bump Stocks Following Tragic Shooting

Birmingham, AL –

State Representative Juandalynn Givan, a Democratic lawmaker from Birmingham, announced today that she will be introducing a bill aimed at banning bump stocks within the city. This decision comes in the wake of a devastating mass shooting that took place last weekend near a popular lounge in the Five Points South district, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving 17 others wounded.

Givan’s proposed legislation would designate the possession of a bump stock as a Class C felony. If passed, offenders could face a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching $15,000. Bump stocks are devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to mimic the firing rate of automatic weapons, functioning in a similar capacity as Glock switches, which convert handguns to fire in an automatic manner.

During the tragic events of the recent shooting, police reported that at least 100 shots were fired in the vicinity, leading Givan to describe the scene as akin to a “war zone.” She expressed her frustration over the prevalence of such devices, saying, “A bump stock has one purpose and one purpose only; to kill or wound as many people as possible.”

The push for tighter regulations surrounding bump stocks isn’t new. In 2017, a gunman used rifles equipped with these devices in a mass shooting that claimed 58 lives at a country music festival in Las Vegas. This incident prompted a federal ban on bump stocks under the Trump administration; however, this ban was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, which ruled that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives had exceeded its authority.

Responding to the shocking violence in her community, Givan’s new bill is a local effort, only applying to Birmingham. Based on local legislative procedures, the bill must be advertised for four weeks starting today, with the legislative session beginning on February 4.

“This is not a conversation about politics for me; it’s about saving lives,” Givan stated in her release. Givan emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that many local leaders have called for action to confront the issue of gun violence head-on.

In addition to Givan’s efforts, Rep. Phillip Ensler from Montgomery has also pre-filed a bill to ban Glock switches and other trigger activators. Despite the Republican majority in the Alabama Legislature, there seems to be increasing bipartisan support for Ensler’s bill, which successfully passed the House last year but did not receive a vote in the Senate. Law enforcement officials have voiced their endorsement of such measures, emphasizing the necessity of stricter gun laws to enhance public safety.

Following the recent shooting, discussions regarding public safety have intensified. Givan suggested that the National Guard might be needed to aid local law enforcement, citing a shortage of police officers in the area. However, Birmingham’s Mayor, Randall Woodfin, dismissed this idea, stating it was “whack.” Although Gov. Kay Ivey’s spokesperson indicated that there were no plans to deploy the National Guard, she noted the state’s willingness to assist with crime issues, as seen previously in Montgomery.

In a clarification to a recent statement regarding the National Guard, Givan stated that her comments had been misinterpreted, and she only meant to confirm that military support would be available if necessary. “The question is simple: do we have a backup plan if there is a need and we cannot fill a need locally?” she said, reinforcing that a plan does exist.

As Birmingham grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, the community remains focused on seeking solutions to prevent such violence in the future. The proposed ban on bump stocks represents one crucial attempt to make the city safer and more secure for its residents as conversations surrounding gun safety continue.