U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) expressed her condolences and offered solutions to city leaders on Monday in response to a shooting in Birmingham's Five Points South on Saturday night that left four dead and at least 18 wounded.
Police have yet to announce an arrest or suspects in the shooting, despite outcry from the public and lawmakers and a $100,000 reward for information.
Many Democratic lawmakers have blamed either the state's permitless carry law or so-called Glock switches, which convert semi-automatic handguns into automatic ones, for the shooting and general rise in gun violence.
In a Monday statement, Britt expressed sympathy for the victims' families and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
"My heart is broken for the families of the victims in Birmingham," Britt said. "I know Alabamians across our state join me in prayer for their loved ones and are mourning this tragedy alongside our neighbors. This kind of senseless violence has no place in America. Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to find the culprits and ensure justice is served. I urge anyone with information about this shooting, no matter how small the detail seems, to contact the Birmingham Police Department or submit an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 205-254-7777 or crimestoppersmetroal.org. Working within the framework of existing laws, we can, and we must hold accountable anyone responsible for this heinous crime."
At a press conference, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin backed proposed state legislation to ban Glock switches, which are illegal under federal law. Woodfin stated that he believed insufficient resources were being used to get the devices off the streets.
In her statement, Britt said she had spoken with Woodfin to ensure federal resources are available to combat the growing crime problem in Birmingham. She also reiterated that the government alone was insufficient to address the underlying issues that push people to such extreme violence.
"Following the shooting, I spoke with Mayor Woodfin to personally offer my condolences and reiterate my staunch support for getting every possible federal resource in the hands of local law enforcement to combat violent crime in Birmingham," Britt continued. "I've spoken with the ATF Director as well."
"Earlier this month, I also met with the Mayor and City Council members in Washington, D.C., to discuss continued ways we can partner to strengthen public safety in Birmingham. I'm proud to have secured $4.2 million in congressionally directed spending for the Real Time Crime Center in Birmingham, which was enacted as a part of the FY 2024 Appropriations package earlier this year. There is undoubtedly much more work to do, and I remain committed to being a partner at the federal level to local and state officials working to keep Alabamians safe. We should also know that government alone can't solve this problem. As a nation, it is past time to address the root causes of a growing culture of violence. Making the change we all want to see starts in hearts and homes."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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