Montgomery, Ala. (WDNews) — Governor Kay Ivey introduced a sweeping public safety package during her State of the State address Tuesday evening, aiming to strengthen law enforcement protections and crack down on gun violence.
“Bolstering public safety is my number one priority this session, and I am proud to partner with Speaker Ledbetter and a bipartisan group of legislators in putting forward a package of bills that will back the blue and combat inner city gun violence,” Ivey said. “Working together, we will create a safer Alabama.”
Dubbed the “Safe Alabama” package, the legislation includes measures to provide additional legal protections for officers, strengthen penalties for gun-related crimes, and enhance supervision of high-risk juveniles.
Backing Law Enforcement
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement officers in the state.
“The men and women who wear the badge represent the very best of our state, and it’s time that we take additional steps to show them that we have their backs and appreciate the sacrifices they make to protect and serve,” Ledbetter said. “The Safer Alabama Package sends a clear message that Alabama stands firmly behind our law enforcement officers and has zero tolerance for those who threaten the safety of our citizens.”
The Back the Blue Legal Protection Act would expand civil and criminal liability protections for officers acting within their duties. It would shield officers from lawsuits unless they acted recklessly or violated a person’s clearly established rights. Additionally, officers would be immune from prosecution for use of force unless it violated constitutional protections.
A proposed Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship would also provide financial assistance for college tuition to eligible dependents of long-serving officers.
The Officer Impersonation Prevention Act aims to strengthen existing laws against impersonating law enforcement, making it illegal for individuals to accept employment as officers if they know they are ineligible to serve.
Cracking Down on Gun Violence
The Inner City Gun Violence Act proposes stricter penalties for felons caught with firearms and expands the state’s “certain persons forbidden” law. It would also:
Increase penalties for shooting into an occupied dwelling from a Class B to a Class A felony.
Expand Aniah’s Law to allow judges to deny bail for additional violent offenses.
Require parole/probation revocation for those caught with illegal firearms.
Ban Glock switches, making possession of the device a Class C felony.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger reinforced the state’s commitment to both crime reduction and officer support.
“Fighting crime in our cities, streets and neighborhoods and allowing Alabamians to feel safe in their homes rank among our most important duties as lawmakers,” Gudger said. “At the same time, the men and women who wear a badge and patrol our cities must know that their elected leaders in Montgomery have their backs at all times.”
Juvenile Crime Reforms
The Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act would expand electronic monitoring of high-risk juveniles and remove the current 72-hour limit on confining juvenile status offenders who violate court orders.
Ivey also proposed $3 million in recurring funding to the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, ensuring a 24-man crime suppression unit remains permanently funded.
Bipartisan Support
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton echoed the urgency of addressing gun violence while also advocating for broader social investments.
“I look forward to working with Governor Ivey in providing our law enforcement officers all of the training and resources they need to conduct their job safely,” Singleton said. “We need to do all we can to end this epidemic of senseless gun violence plaguing our communities, while also investing in our schools and mental healthcare systems.”
Legislation Moves Forward
The Safe Alabama package was introduced in the Legislature on Tuesday, February 5, and will now move through the legislative process. Lawmakers are expected to debate the bills in the coming weeks.
