Legislation filed by Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston) would outlaw the the possession, sale or use of a trigger activator, commonly known as an “auto sear” or “Glock switch.”

Law enforcement agencies across the state have raised concern about the small modification that can cause a big impact. In particular, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the device “has the potential to be a public safety crisis.”

WBRC reported last month that the number of Glock switches recovered in Alabama up was up 1,200% year over year.

Federal law already constitutes trigger activators as illegal under the National Firearms Act. The bill’s sponsor says extending that into state law is a necessary step to combat negative consequences.

“What this gun does, with the trigger-activated, it turns it into a full-automatic handgun,” Wood said in an interview. “When you fire it, it don’t stop until it’s empty.”

Wood said Mobile law enforcement officials reached out to him to carry the bill following a deadly shooting in downtown Mobile on New Year’s Eve that also injured 10.

Mayors of Alabama’s largest cities are pushing for the legislation, saying the devices pose a threat to officers and citizens alike.

“Not even a trained professional, whether that’s a Birmingham Police Officer or an agent with the ATF that only handles firearms everyday can’t even handle it, the gun wasn’t manufactured for that,” said Woodfin. “It literally overpowers police officers.”

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.