This story has been updated.
State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City) recently criticized Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed for blaming the city's crime wave on the legislature's actions two years ago.
With the recent rise in violent crime and shootings in Montgomery, officials in the city have consistently pointed the finger at the Alabama Legislature's passing of a 2022 law allowing permitless carry, also called Constitutional carry.
In 2022, lawmakers voted to remove the previous requirement for lawful citizens to purchase a permit before carrying a concealed weapon on their person or vehicle.
After a recent slew of shootings in Montgomery that have killed or permanently maimed innocent bystanders, hundreds of residents have swarmed Montgomery city council meetings, criticizing the city's leadership and calling for action.
City leaders, in response, have consistently passed the buck, pointing the finger in every direction.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, his chief of staff Chip Hill, and others in the city have blamed the crime wave on the legislature passing permitless carry.
In a recent appearance on 1819 News' "Alabama Unfiltered," Bell blasted Reed for his comments, accusing the mayor of blaming everyone else for his "inadequate leadership."
"It kind of got me when the mayor of Montgomery blames the legislature for passing permitless carry for the increased gun violence in Montgomery," Bell said. "I don't see that gun violence in my district increased. I don't see that gun violence in other districts have increased. And I understood when we passed that it was a statewide bill, not just Montgomery-specific, so we need to look at the leadership in Montgomery and what they're doing. Let's let the law enforcement officers do their job there. Untie their hands. Let's let the police police the town and hold the people responsible for committing the crimes and do what we're supposed to be doing, do what we used to do."
The relevant portion begins around the 34:48 mark.
He continued, "Now, it's not politically correct to put people in jail. [It's] not politically correct to hold them responsible for their actions, and when's it going to come to a head? I mean, Mayor, take some responsibility and get out there in your community and figure out what the problem is and take care of it. Go out there and do some community policing. Go out there with your police department and show them, 'We're here to help you. We're here to be a part of this. We're here to clean this up.' Don't hide behind and start blaming everybody else for your inadequate leadership."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
