Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin addressed a recent video showing two groups of armed men facing off against each other in the downtown area of the city. The recording, taken earlier this month, was originally posted on Reddit. WATCH:
After viewing the video, Woodfin is once again arguing that the Birmingham Police Department can’t prevent situations like this because it’s legal to carry a pistol in Alabama without a permit, but clearly, that is not the issue here. In a press conference held Tuesday, Mayor Woodfin said the only crime being committed in the video is jaywalking.
“When we peel it back, what we got in that street that we know is illegal is jaywalking,” Woodfin said. “That sucks. It’s unfortunate that that’s the part that is illegal. The state of Alabama now says you don’t have to have a pistol permit to walk around with any form of a firearm.”
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Woodfin said he spoke with Birmingham police investigating the incident and the resident who originally recorded the video.
“It was two groups who at some point had a physical fight with each other and were separated in an indoor facility where there were no guns. Separated. The business makes them go about their ways, and exit out of separate doors. People go to their vehicles and retrieve guns.”
“Did they commit a crime? That is the ultimate question.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
