SB116 creates a new criminal offense related to firearm conversion devices, often referred to as “machine gun conversion” parts or “switches.” The bill defines “machine gun” broadly to include weapons that fire automatically more than one shot with a single trigger function, as well as frames, receivers, and parts or combinations of parts designed and intended to convert a weapon into a machine gun. It then makes it a Class C felony for a person to possess, obtain, receive, sell, or use a part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun.
The bill includes several exceptions. It does not apply to state or local law enforcement officers acting in an official capacity, to firearms or parts properly registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, or to certain rate-of-fire devices that do not allow a semiautomatic pistol to fire more than two shots without manual reloading by a single trigger function. The act takes effect immediately and is framed as a criminal law measure that does not trigger additional local funding requirements under the Alabama Constitution.
Impact
SB116 amends Alabama firearms law by creating a specific felony offense targeting possession and trafficking of pistol conversion devices and related parts. It expands the state’s criminal code to cover not only completed machine guns but also components intended to convert pistols into automatic weapons, while preserving limited exceptions for law enforcement, federally registered items, and certain non-qualifying devices. The law applies statewide and may affect gun owners, sellers, and anyone found in possession of conversion parts, with violations punishable as Class C felonies.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support and little visible opposition in the recorded votes. It passed the Senate 29-0, passed the House 85-16, and then received concurrence in the Senate 24-2 after a House amendment, indicating strong overall approval but some dissent in the second chamber. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into debate, but the vote margins suggest the measure was generally viewed favorably as a public safety and firearms enforcement bill.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the scope of the definition of prohibited conversion parts and the breadth of criminal liability for possession, receipt, sale, or use of such parts. Gun-rights or civil-liberties critics might be concerned about how the law distinguishes prohibited conversion devices from other firearm accessories, especially given the exception for devices that increase rate of fire but do not permit more than two shots per trigger function. Supporters likely emphasized closing a loophole around machine gun conversion devices and strengthening enforcement against illegal automatic-fire capability.