Bill to make 'Glock switches' illegal introduced in Alabama House

[RandySF]

A state representative filed a bill last week to ban trigger activators, such as “Glock switches.”

HB234, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, would make it a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, for a person to possess, obtain, receive, sell, use, manufacture, assemble, import or transport a trigger activator.

The bill would also require a person who owns, uses or buys or sells the firearm to inspect it and any attached parts to ensure the firearm is not illegal. If a person fails to inspect a gun with a trigger activator, they would be found to be knowingly in possession.

Trigger activators are small devices that can be added to a semi-automatic gun, which can effectively turn them into automatic firearms. A trigger activator keeps the trigger down to continuously fire bullets, without having to press the trigger for each shot. By keeping the trigger down, a handgun with a trigger activator would fire nonstop bullets until the finger is lifted.

Wood said in a phone interview on Monday that while federal law already banned trigger activators, a state statute would allow prosecution by state officials. He said he felt the activators made the firearm more difficult to control.


https://alabamareflector.com/2023/04/11/bill-to-make-glock-switches-illegal-introduced-in-alabama-house/

[Bayard]

1. At first, I thought--Wow!

A morally responsible rethug.

But then I read the last part--"made the firearm more difficult to control," and saw he just wanted killers to be more accurate.

[edisdead]

2. Is that what the rep meant?

I didn’t read it that way. If he really did introduce a good bill we need to support that.

[sarisataka]

4. So should the state

Not make them illegal?

[SYFROYH]

5. I don't think that was the implication. More difficult to control usually means unsafe.

[SYFROYH]

6. I don't think that was the implication. More difficult to control usually means unsafe.

[SYFROYH]

3. That's reasonable.

[sarisataka]

7. Seems a reasonable law nt

[Chainfire]

8. Expect the screams of 2A from all corners of the house.

More of "Democrats" are coming for your guns. (It doesn't matter that the sponsor is a R) Many members of the gun clan insist that any regulations of any types of weapons is "unconstitutional." The term "Well Regulated" is meaningless to them.

These devices that effectively convert semi-auto guns to machine guns are great for shooting the most bullets into crowds in the shortest amount of time. Perfect for drive-bys, or crowded classrooms. They have no other viable function. That is why the military does not issue full auto pistols. It is the expanded lethality that entice people to buy and install the devices; because the civil war is coming and you have to be ready.

I hope this gets through the Alabama congress and past the governor, but I doubt it. It would bring the wrath of the NRA down on anyone who supported the bill. I doubt that the lawmakers will risk that, and they can always claim that it would be redundant.

[ForgedCrank]

9. This is

really redundant posturing and not much more.
These "glock switches", or "auto sears" are already covered under NFA controls and are considered a "machine gun" or NFA item, items that MUST be applied for through the ATF and approved just like any other fully automatic weapon. In other words, they are already illegal. It's no different than buying, possessing, or using modified parts to turn an anemic AR-15 into a full-auto M16. Same laws, same punishment under NFA. It's a HUGE no-no. I'm not even comfortable talking about it to be frank.
The mere possession of such a device without the ATF approval is a very serious federal felony and this law will really do nothing to improve that already very strict law.

https://www.atf.gov/news/pr/fort-worth-manufacturer-charged-glock-switch-case

A lot of states already have these laws in addition to the NFA rules, but they really add nothing to discouraging their use.
Anyone who is willing to defy the ATF and NFA rules is already asking for big trouble. They are not to be toyed with.

[Redleg]

10. I wouldn't say an AR-15 is anemic

As we have seen, they can do plenty of damage.

[ForgedCrank]

11. As far as

center fire cartridges go, it is quite anemic. Among the smallest in fact.
I'm not saying it won't do damage, I'm saying it's one of the lesser rounds.

[Redleg]

16. This is true

but it has the virture of being able to use a 20 or 30 round magazine, is light, and has very little recoil, allowing the shooter to fire fairly quickly and accurately.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Your Last Paragraph Explains The Need

The bill sponsor wants the law so STATE law can be enforced.
Today in that state, there is no law to enforce, and federal authorities can't be everywhere.
The ability to enforce a prohibition locally seems like a win.
Not sure what your objection is.

[ForgedCrank]

13. I didnt

say I had an objection, because I don't. I'm just saying it's redundant.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. Got It

Sorry I misunderstood.

[Fla_Democrat]

15. Well, if it saves one dog....

maybe it's better left to the state, and not the AFT.