Montgomery, AL – On Wednesday, March 19, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 116 into law, imposing a state ban on illegal machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “Glock switches.” The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot and Rep. Phillip Ensler, aligns state law with existing federal prohibitions and aims to provide law enforcement with additional enforcement capabilities.
Governor Ivey emphasized the need for state-level action, stating, “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.”
Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Hal Taylor also voiced support for the bill, highlighting its role in public safety. “Today, I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey for her unwavering leadership in signing Senate Bill 116 into law. This important legislation further strengthens our commitment to public safety by banning machine gun conversion devices at the state level,” Taylor stated. “While these devices are already prohibited under federal law, the enactment of this state law provides local law enforcement with the additional tools necessary to protect the people of Alabama and reduce the risk of gun violence in our communities.”
Taylor also expressed appreciation for the legislators involved in advancing the bill, stating that its passage “sends a strong message that we will not tolerate the unlawful conversion of firearms, and we will continue to stand together for the safety and security of our citizens.”
SB116 is a component of Governor Ivey’s broader Safe Alabama public safety initiative. At the start of the legislative session, the governor identified strengthening public safety as her top priority and indicated that she looks forward to additional measures from her safety package advancing through the legislative process.
