by Lee Williams
Alabama banned so-called “Glock switches” Wednesday, which are already prohibited by federal law, when Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that makes possession of a full-auto switch a felony in Alabama punishable by up to 10 years in prison, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“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,” Ivey’s press release states.
Alabama Senator Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, who authored the bill, told the local media that that “guns and conversion devices are not the real problem. The real problem are the people who use those.”
The Glock-switch ban may not be the last gun-related law that Alabama’s governor supports.
“Governor Ivey began the legislative session by stating bolstering public safety is her number one priority, and she looks forward to the other bills working their way through the legislative process and reaching her desk,” according to her press release.
An Associated Press story written Tuesday states that the bill had much Democratic support.
The AP story claims Alabama had one of the highest rates of “gun violence” in the country, a comment which is linked to a 2022 graphic from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Other local news stories contained links to more anti-gun websites, such as Johns Hopkins Annual Firearm Mortality Report.
Those who strongly oppose Second Amendment rights were quick to claim credit for the new law.
“The devices are banned under federal law and in 23 states, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Supporters said a state ban will allow local law enforcement to prosecute people for the possession of the devices,” the AP story states.
Everytown for Gun Safety lauded the Governor’s decision, dedicating a full-page press release to the news, which contains quotes from the anti-gun group’s president, executive director, a local volunteer in Alabama and a “gun violence survivor.”
Takeaways
Gov. Ivey said she believes that creating a new law banning Glock switches will “empower” her state law enforcement to go after the problem directly and make arrests, but this may not work as she expected.
Traditionally, state and local law enforcement have always been slow to enforce new laws, especially those that copy federal statutes. Besides, state and local law enforcement agencies may not have the expertise to test and/or testify about the Glock switches that may soon be headed their way.
Despite its long list of internal problems, the ATF has successfully prosecuted many Glock-switch cases. ATF’s own files are full of successful prosecutions for the devices, which were accompanied by lab support and technical expertise. Many of the federal cases were the result of investigations started by local law enforcement.
Gun-rights proponents may not see much negative impact from Alabama’s new Glock-switch law. Serious shooters have never even seen one and would certainly never own one. However, Alabama’s new state law is a clear victory for the anti-gunners, who are already using it to raise money, which they will use to propose more anti-gun laws, including those that will harm our gun rights.
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This is what happens when your ‘conservative’ legislature sells out, and Mee Maw gets reelected. SMH
Making something illegal more illegal… what a waste of time and money.
Trans Violence Is a Real Thing, and It Is Out of Control.
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2025/03/21/trans-violence-is-a-real-thing-and-it-is-out-of-control-n3800984
“Serious shooters have never even seen one and would certainly never own one.”
This is categorically untrue. A few privileged “serious shooters” have “seen” legal ones in other countries, and a lot more would own them if they were legal.
This is a silly and emotionalistic law. Murder and assault with a deadly weapon are already as illegal as it is possible to be and the police are fully-empowered to enforce those laws. That ought to be enough. Maybe if we swiftly executed more murderers instead of having a President issue blanket clemencies of them, and a legal system that lets actual murderers back on the streets after a handful of years served….
Yep! That was pure drivel. I’d own one if legal and cheap. Same goes for full auto trigger packs.
No true Scotsman.
Some serious Fudd shit for the author to be pulling.
Given some of the braces and other pdw related aftermarket options for Glocks yeah could easily see all kinds of “serious shooters” put these to use.
They should ban murder X 2. Maybe even ban murder^2.
This bullshit is pure smokeshow for Police Chiefs and AGa to show on tv while they sound ite “Getting Dangerous Weapons off of the streets.”
Ok, now show us how many of the bangers carrying them you got “Off The Streets” – they were released before the police report was finished being filled out.
In Alabama? I would be surprised but to be honest don’t know much about that state. Up my way your comment is spot on.
“Alabama Bans Glock Switches, Which Were Already Banned Federally”
Not a mistake, or confusion. Makes possession of a “GLOCK switch” a second jurisdiction capable of imposing penalties.
No, separate federal and state jurisdiction does not create an instance of “double jeopardy” for the same crime.
The Supreme Court really threw “we the people” under the bus when it ruled that charging a person in both federal and state courts for the same crime didn’t constitute double jeopardy.
In this case neither Federal nor State should have jurisdiction. Their infringement of the right to keep an bear arms is strictly prohibited by the 2nd amendment.
SCOTUS has a lot of work to do to right the ship.
Machine guns, machine pistols, cannons, weapons of war.
Things a militia would use to defeat a tyrannical government or defend a country.
No siree Bub.
The Second Amendment is about hunting.
“The Second Amendment is about hunting.”
Now, yer cookin’ with gas.
My Dad used to say that.
” Now your cooking with gas.”
“My Dad used to say that.
” Now your cooking with gas.” “
Thought I would just toss in a bit of nostalgia. Have yet to find a way to insert, “Twenty three skidoo, or Oh, you kid”.
Lots of things are banned on federal, state and local levels. Homicide for example. What’s your point?
And marijuana.
So states could be legalizing Glock switches if they wanted to?
“Lots of things are banned on federal, state and local levels. Homicide for example.”
The fact that homicides continue to happen is abject proof that homicide isn’t illegal enough.
“Constitutionally speaking – what is the difference between a semi-automatic firearm and an automatic firearm?”
That rhetorical question was asked by Justice Gorsuch.
I suspect if the right case comes before this SCOTUS, the NFA will be struck down.