Alabama lawmakers react to gun violence being declared a public health crisis

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new advisory, declaring gun violence as a public health emergency.

He also called for a ban on assault weapons for civilians and creating safer conditions in public places. Some Alabama lawmakers have different takes on causes and solutions for gun violence. But both sides agree that it must be dealt with immediately.

State Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) has been involved with law enforcement for 35 years. He says the lack of officers has caused the uptick in gun crimes.

“I can show you when crime was at it’s lowest,” Treadaway said. “These police departments had staffing that was at it’s highest. And it was during a time that police officers were supported. They feel like they’re not supported now.”

State Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) said that mental health was another large component when it comes to gun violence.

“We have so many issues we are looking at with regard to mental health that are important ways to fix this. I think having more law enforcement,” said Faulkner.

State Rep. Neil Rafferty (D- Birmingham) said “We need to deal with making sure that universal background checks are out there. We need to make sure that people do have opportunities and are able to get the training they need to have a firearm, and understand that it’s not a toy.”

State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D- Montgomery) has been working on legislation to ban glock switches. He said these devices can turn pistols into machine guns.

“It will deter some use of it, but then also hold people accountable when they do do it,” said Ensler. So anyone who argues ‘well if you have a law, people are gonna break the law,’ well I don’t buy into that because in the legislature we pass laws every week.”

Ensler said that gun violence is not a gun control issue, but rather, a public safety issue.

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