The mayors of Alabama’s 10 largest cities are advocating for legislation increasing the penalties for firing a gun into an occupied building.
“As mayors, fighting crime and working to keep our communities safe is always our top priority,” the mayors said in a joint statement. “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.”
Under existing law, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure such as a home or church is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Alabama. House Bill 174, by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, would elevate that charge to a Class A felony, punishable with up to life in prison. The bill awaits a vote in the House.
Drummond on Thursday told Alabama Daily News her bill is needed to combat recent killings committed by repeat offenders recklessly shooting into homes, cars and sometimes, churches.
She shared the story of a woman who was shot and killed while praying in a Prichard church in 2021.
“The bullet went through the church and hit Grace and killed her,” Drummond said.
More recently, a 9-year-old girl who was killed while she was lying on her couch.
“These repeat offenders were after her 16-year-old brother who was not even at home at the time,” Drummond said. “They shot up the house and killed the little girl.”
The bill will give judges more ability to hold those individuals in jail, she said.
“Innocent people are being killed by these repeat teen offenders,” she said. “These are not folks who are doing it for the first time.”
The mayors are 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.
“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,” the mayors’ statement said. “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.”
Said Drummond: “We need to stop making victims out of culprits. These repeat offenders have got to be accountable for what they do.”