Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 116, sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), on Wednesday morning.
The bill was widely supported by Democrats throughout the state, who have blamed the conversion devices, already prohibited by federal law, for rising gang crime.
"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. I am proud to support law enforcement and work to combat crime by putting my signature on SB116," Ivey said in a statement.
SB116 was touted as part of the governor's Safe Alabama public safety package, which she announced during her State of the State address.
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Ivey began the legislative session by stating that bolstering public safety is her number one priority. Among the bills in the Ivey-supported package was SB119, which Barfoot introduced. As introduced, that bill included "red flag" language that constitutional and Second Amendment lawyers said was "unconstitutional." Barfoot removed that and additional language that sparked concerns about the bill during its first committee. Second Amendment advocates continue to worry that the bills touted by Ivey as public safety-related can and will be amended before final passage to infringe on lawful Second Amendment rights.
SEE: House passes several public safety bills after hours of Democratic protest
BamaCarry, Inc., which touts itself as Alabama’s only “No Compromise” gun rights group, worked throughout the session to oppose the bill, saying in part, "With vague language and overly broad definitions, SB116 could turn responsible gun owners into felons for merely possessing components that have legitimate, legal uses."
Following an amendment added by the House, the bill goes into effect immediately.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on, and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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