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The Alabama Big 10 Mayors today encouraged the Alabama Legislature to pass legislation strengthening criminal penalties for firing weapons into homes, businesses, and vehicles.
The mayors are supporting Alabama House Bill 174, sponsored by state Representative Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), which was reported out of the Alabama House Judiciary Committee and is awaiting a floor vote in the House chamber. The bill would increase the criminal penalties for firing into occupied homes, businesses, vehicles, rail cars, and other buildings from a Class B felony to a Class A felony.
“As mayors, fighting crime and working to keep our communities safe is always our top priority,” said the Alabama Big 10 Mayors. “Too often, we see gun violence resulting in innocent victims, including children. As a state, we should do all we can to hold those responsible accountable.”
The mayors continued: “It isn’t the only part of the solution, but increasing penalties for criminals is a key part of curbing gun violence in our communities. Actions have consequences, and the consequences for firing blindly into homes and cars should be met with a strong response from prosecutors and law enforcement.”
Representing Alabama’s ten biggest cities – and with 75 percent of the state’s population living in their metro areas – the Alabama Big 10 Mayors work together to address the state’s most important issues and make Alabama a safer, better place for all its residents.
This bill was filed as several Alabamians were shot indiscriminately because of gang-related shootings. In Mobile earlier this year, a 15-year-old girl was killed as a group of shooters fired into the vehicle she was riding in. Also this year in Jefferson County, a 5-year-old boy getting a haircut was shot and killed when the building he was in was fired upon.
“As mayors, there’s nothing more important to us than public safety, and we know that members of the Legislature feel the same way. We fully support them as they work on this issue to help bring more law and order to communities across our state,” the mayors concluded.
The Alabama Big 10 Mayors include Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.
