Alabama Lawmakers Approve a Ban on Devices That Convert Semi-Automatic Weapons Into Machine Guns

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: US News and World Report/AP

March 18, 2025, at 7:31 p.m.


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday approved a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, after a deadly year that included multiple mass shootings. A bipartisan coalition pushed the Alabama legislation after several multiple mass shootings last year, including the shooting deaths of four people outside a Birmingham nightclub in September.

The devices are already banned under federal law, but there’s currently no state law that bans them. The Alabama Senate voted 24-2 to accept the House of Representatives changes to the bill. The measure now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who is expected to sign it after calling for its passage in her State of the State address.

“Passing gun safety legislation in Alabama is not easy. But the hard work of building a bipartisan coalition has resulted in the passage of this life-saving legislation,” said state Rep. Phillip Ensler, a Montgomery Democrat, who had urged the measure for three years. “While laws cannot bring back victims of gun violence, this ban can help save lives moving forward,” he said.

Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot of Pike Road sponsored the bill that was approved this year. Possessing or selling the devices would be a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The measure will take effect immediately if it is signed into law.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-03-18/alabama-lawmakers-approve-a-ban-on-devices-that-convert-semi-automatic-weapons-into-machine-guns

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This is surprising.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. WOW. Granny MAGA did something that makes sense. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

2. In Alabama?!

[Doodles]

3. Really?

This is shocking. I kept thinking I had read it wrong. We are actually at the beach in Alabama for the winter. Surprisingly, we have only seen a very few T hats. Probably a different clientele but it is interesting. Went to a lovely new place last night for dinner. Then as we left saw all these shirts for sale in the lobby—The Gulf of America. I loudly asked—Does anyone have a sharpie? I was pissed.

[Paladin]

5. Plenty of "Gulf Of Mexico" T-shirts available, as well.

Some of them downright good-looking. Thinking about buying one and wearing it; hoping my obvious old age and use of a cane will prevent MAGAssholes from beating me up...

[NowsTheTime]

6. Help me out here: " The devices are already banned under federal law" ; SCOTUS struck down ban on bump stocks..6-14-2024

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/6-things-to-know-about-the-supreme-courts-decision-on-bump-stocks

[sarisataka]

7. Bump stocks are a different thing

that affect rifles. The switches they refer to are a part that can be added to a Glock pistol and it will then fire fully automatic

[NowsTheTime]

8. Thanks..

[Mawspam2]

9. Actually, no, this is not surprising.

Every fascist dictatorial government works to confiscate guns from citizens. To take away the people's power to effect any change to the ruling minority.

TRUMPlicans screwed up by leaving 500 million guns in the hands of the people who they are screwing over.

[maxsolomon]

15. LOL, where is the confiscation?

Another cheerleader for a bloody civil war heard from...

[madville]

10. It's a 3D printable part

They only passed this because it’s just for optics and won’t affect 99.999% of the gunners in that state, if someone is using one to do a drive by shooting an extra state felony won’t matter to them. The white rethuglicans there are probably excited it’s another law the cops can figure out a way to use against black residents there in Alabama.

Like the article says, this part is illegal under federal law already, anything that makes a semiautomatic firearm fully automatic is considered a machine gun under federal law, has been since the 1930s and the registry closed for private ownership of new ones in the 1980s.

[DenaliDemocrat]

11. Nobody really does it

You generally need a gunsmith to convert and it’s extremely illegal. The ATF will come visit you. Everyone can hear the noise a machine gun makes and you have to assume SOMEONE will turn you in.

Of all things gun - this one isn’t a problem.

[NickB79]

12. It is a MASSIVE problem

You can literally make a Glock switch with the cheapest 3D printer on the market, and install it in minutes. I say this as a gun enthusiast and someone who dables in 3D printing.

Here in Minnesota, our Shot Spotter system is detecting literally thousands of full auto shots annually now in Minneapolis alone.

https://www.courthousenews.com/minnesota-ag-demands-design-change-for-glocks-after-rise-in-automatic-shootings/

Retailers sell switches that can also be made with 3D printers. While the device is illegal in Minnesota, it has not stopped its widespread use in shooting incidents in Minneapolis.

According to data collected by shot-detection equipment, the city saw 16 automatic fire incidents with 154 shots fired in 202 versus 257 incidents and 2,595 shots fired in 2023.

[DenaliDemocrat]

13. Have you ever SHOT a converted gun?

It’s not like on tv. They are inaccurate, unmanageable, and unreliable

[BumRushDaShow]

17. I posted the below a year ago today (in fact)

(from this OP - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143212122)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3213293

In the same thread had this (where 8 teens were sprayed with bullets from 4 perps (who were eventually caught) who used glocks with switches) - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3212555

The point isn't to be a sharpshooter but to make sure your victim is dead by spraying as many bullets at them as you can and then take off.

[NickB79]

18. Exactly why they're so dangerous

The inaccuracy and unmanageability means stray bullets are flying around the local neighborhood, endangering everyone that lives there.

BTW, don't think I didn't notice those moving goalposts, from "there aren't a lot of full auto gunfire incidents" to "there are lots of full auto incidents, but they aren't accurate shots". The next step in this would probably be "even if accurate, Glocks fire low-power 9mm pistol rounds, not high-power rifle rounds".

And yes, I've fired full auto M4's and MP5's. Short, controlled bursts.

[DenaliDemocrat]

19. Nah

It’s sensationalized. I have no idea what constitutes an “incident”. Not crime, not shooting, but “incident”.

[Aristus]

14. Wow. Gun control progress out in Alabamastan?

Oh well; broken clock and all that...

[maxsolomon]

16. Why does the Alabama GOP hate America?

Don't they know that 'fringements is unconstytushinul?