Glock Switch Ban Bills get favorable report from Senate Committee

February 12, 2025 - The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report advancing two bills targeting the illegal use of Glock switches. Glock switches convert semi-automatic Glock pistols into fully automatic weapons. Supporters of the bills claim that Glock switches have become increasingly prevalent and a matter of public concern.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) came out in support of the Glock switch ban in her state of the state address and the Governor held a rally on Wednesday with lawmakers, mayors, and law enforcement promoting her public safety agenda that includes her Glock switch ban bill.

"This ban on Glock switches is a necessary step to protect our citizens and uphold the safety of our communities," Gov. Ivey said recently. "By taking decisive action, we are sending a clear message that Alabama will not tolerate the proliferation of dangerous devices that threaten the peace and security of our state."

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin – whose city was racked by unprecedented levels of gangland violence over the last four years with 727 slain in the last five years – spoke to the committee in favor of the ban.

"In Birmingham and in other cities across the state there are too many grieving mothers who have lost their child because of the use of these machine gun conversion devices," Mayor Woodfin told the committee. "In 2024, we had two mass shootings where machine gun conversion devices were used in both."

"We want to make sure in 2025 and beyond those who manufacture, sell, and possess machine gun conversion devices and especially those who use them will be held accountable," Mayor Woodfin said.

The committee approved two bills - SB31, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham). and SB 116, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot R-Pike Road), that would make possession of conversion devices a Class C felony in the state of Alabama.

Mayor Woodfin, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, and Mobile also Sandy Stimpson joined Gov. Ivey at the Capitol for her public safety package rally.

A Glock switch, also known as an auto sear or conversion device, is a small attachment that modifies a standard Glock handgun. When installed, it allows the firearm to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, effectively transforming it into an illegal automatic handgun.

The proliferation of Glock switches has raised alarms among law enforcement agencies and policymakers. Reports indicate a surge in the number of crimes committed using modified firearms,

The proposed legislation makes it illegal for individuals to possess Glock switches, with severe penalties for those found in violation. It also bans the distribution and sale of the switches targeting the supply chain and makes it unlawful to manufacture the devices in Alabama.

Opponents of the legislation argue that the legislation may infringe upon Second Amendment rights. Gunowners are concerned that the Glock switch ban will give law enforcement a justification for asking a citizen to hand over his or her firearms for inspection potentially leading to dangerous situations for both law enforcement and the public. Alabama is an open carry and permitless carry state where many (likely most) citizens own handguns. Anywhere people are present in Alabama guns almost always are too – and an increasing number of those guns have Glock switches.

Opponents point out that there is already a federal ban in place making this ban redundant. State prisons are already filled far beyond their design capacity and are chronically understaffed. Gov. Ivey's push to build two new megaprisons at a cost of well above two billion dollars unfortunately doesn't add any capacity to the system as existing facilities are nearing the end of their productive service lives so finding new ways to imprison Alabamians doesn't really do anything to decrease the number of criminals on the streets.

The Senate could consider one or both Glock switch bans as early as Thursday.

Thursday will be day 5 of the 2025 Alabama Regular Legislative session.

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