Huntsville representative weighs-in on pre-filed Glock switch bill

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Lawmakers have pre-filed HB-26 to make owning a Glock switch a felony.

While a normal handgun shoots one bullet at a time, a Glock switch makes a handgun fire over 1,000 bullets in one minute, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives . Essentially, this turns a handgun into a machine-gun-style weapon.

“Shooting with your wrist with that much power and that many rounds, bullets going out, it’s really difficult to control,” Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said.

Over 100 casings were found at the scene of the mass shooting in Birmingham. This led officials to believe a Glock switch was used in what was described as a targeted attack on one individual. 20 people were hit with bullets and four died that night.

“This mass shooting has a heavy toll on community as a whole,” Mayor of Birmingham Randall Woodfin said.

The violent attack has prompted some lawmakers to take action at the state house through pre-filing a bill that would make owning a Glock switch a felony. It’s something that has failed twice before, but those who have supported it before are hoping the recent mass shooting will build support on both sides of the aisle.

“We’re, again, trying to get these weapons away from people before the crimes are actually committed with them because, at some point, it’s too late, right?,” Sergeant Jeremy Burkett with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. “Somebody’s already been shot, a life has already been lost, so we’re trying to get ahead of those tragedies.”

While lawmakers understand that this bill passing would not eliminate violent crime, they believe it’s a step in the right direction.

“We know that it’s not a magic bullet to help every person, but those lives that we save, they’re worth it,” Daniels said.

One Alabama organization, BamaCarry, has voiced its opposition to HB-26, releasing a statement saying:

“First let me say that BamaCarry wishes to extend our heartfelt sympathy and offers prayers to the families and friends of the victims of the recent heinous act in Birmingham. We feel HB26 is redundant. HB26 is trying to make something illegal that is already illegal. Fully automatic firearms have been illegal since 1934 (NFA,) and more laws added in 1968 (GCA,)  and again in 1986 (FOPA.)  We don’t need more laws saying the same thing. A switch is a device that allows a semi-automatic pistol to function as a fully automatic firearm.  The ATF considers a “Glock” switch to be a machine gun by itself. This law will do nothing to prevent or curb violence in our state. The ones using these devices are already criminals simply by the fact that the devices are in their possession. Criminals do not obey laws.”

Linda McKinney, BamaCarry president

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.