MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday approved a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, after a deadly year that included multiple mass shootings.
A bipartisan coalition pushed the Alabama legislation after several multiple mass shootings last year, including the shooting deaths of four people outside a Birmingham nightclub in September. The devices are already banned under federal law, but there’s currently no state law that bans them.
The Alabama Senate voted 24-2 to accept the House of Representatives changes to the bill. The measure now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who is expected to sign it after calling for its passage in her State of the State address.
“Passing gun safety legislation in Alabama is not easy. But the hard work of building a bipartisan coalition has resulted in the passage of this life-saving legislation,” said state Rep. Phillip Ensler, a Montgomery Democrat, who had urged the measure for three years.
“While laws cannot bring back victims of gun violence, this ban can help save lives moving forward,” he said.
Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot of Pike Road sponsored the bill that was approved this year. Possessing or selling the devices would be a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
The measure will take effect immediately if it is signed into law.
The devices are banned under federal law and in 23 states, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Supporters said a state ban will allow local law enforcement to prosecute people for the possession of the devices. Police say the devices produce a rapid, hard-to-control spray of bullets that increase the number of casualties during a shooting.
The bill passed without significant opposition, a rare consensus on gun legislation in the deeply red state. Alabama lawmakers in 2022 voted to end the requirement to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun in public.
Alabama has one of the highest rates of gun violence in the U.S. In 2022, there were 1,278 gun-related deaths in Alabama, which was the fourth-highest gun death rate in the country, ranking below Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico.
FILE - Nichole Smith signs a memorial sign Sept. 23, 2024, remembering the four people who were killed in a shooting outside a nightclub in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Safiyah Riddle, File)
FILE - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey visits the sidelines during an NCAA football game between Troy and Arkansas State, Oct. 7, 2023, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo ensured the Samurai Blue secured a spot in Asia Group C's top two automatic qualification places.
At its eighth successive World Cup, Japan joins co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Earlier, second-placed Australia took a big step towards a seventh appearance by defeating Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney in the visitor's first game under new coach Patrick Kluivert.
Indonesia's Kevin Diks missed a penalty in the eighth minute, and 10 minutes later Martin Boyle made no mistake with his spot kick to put the Socceroos ahead.
Nishan Velupillay and Jackson Irvine scored before the break and Lewis Miller made it 4-0 on the hour. Ole Romeny pulled one back for Indonesia before Irvine grabbed his second and the hosts' fifth.
The top two from each of the three six-team groups in the third round of Asian qualifying advance to the World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed teams advance to another stage to compete for two more places.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Japan players celebrate after defeating Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japanese players acknowledge the applause from the crowd after their win against Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan players celebrate with their coach Hajime Moriyasu, center, after defeating Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Takefusa Kubo, center, celebrates with team players after scoring their side's second goal against Bahrain during a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025.(Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Takefusa Kubo shoots in an attempt to score during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan players celebrate with teammate Daichi Kamada who scored the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan players celebrate with teammate Daichi Kamada, second left, who scored the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan players throw water at each other to celebrate after defeating Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu speaks after defeating Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Ao Tanaka reaches for a header during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Takefusa Kubo, left, and Bahrain's Komail Hasan Alaswad vie for the ball during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Daichi Kamada, left, celebrates with teammates, Takefusa Kubo, center, and Kaoru Mitoma, right, after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan players celebrate after defeating Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying soccer match at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Daichi Kamada, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Japan's Daichi Kamada shoots to score the opening goal during the World Cup qualifying soccer match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
