In Montgomery, Alabama, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently declared gun violence a public health emergency. He emphasized the need for measures like banning assault weapons for civilians and increasing safety in public places. Some Alabama lawmakers have differing opinions on the causes of gun violence and the solutions to it, but they all agree on the urgency of addressing the issue.
State Rep. Allen Treadaway, who has 35 years of experience in law enforcement, attributes the rise in gun crimes to a shortage of police officers. He recalls a time when crime rates were at their lowest, emphasizing the importance of adequate police staffing and support for officers. State Rep. David Faulkner emphasizes the role of mental health in gun violence, suggesting that addressing mental health issues could be a key part of the solution.
State Rep. Neil Rafferty believes in the importance of implementing universal background checks and providing adequate training for individuals who own firearms. State Rep. Phillip Ensler has been working on legislation to ban glock switches, which can turn pistols into machine guns. He believes that such measures could help deter gun violence and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Ensler stresses that gun violence should be viewed as a public safety issue rather than a gun control issue. Lawmakers in Alabama are working on a range of measures to address gun violence and ensure the safety of their communities.