This past week, Alabama was shaken by a tragic shooting in downtown Montgomery. What should have been a normal weekend full of college football and gathering with friends turned into a nightmare for families who lost loved ones to senseless violence. As a father and someone who calls this state home, I grieve with those families. We cannot allow violence like this to become commonplace.

When our streets are unsafe, everything else begins to unravel. Businesses close early, families stay inside, children grow up surrounded by fear instead of opportunity. That is not the Alabama I know, and it is not the future we want for our state. Government’s first duty is to protect its citizens. Right now, some communities are wondering if their leaders are willing to do what it takes.

That is why I am grateful for the leadership President Trump has shown in his second term. He has made it clear that law and order is not optional, it is essential.

From strengthening federal support for local law enforcement to empowering governors to deploy the National Guard when violence spirals out of control, the President is giving states like Alabama the tools we need to restore peace. 

However, government solutions alone will not heal our land. We must return to the values that shaped Alabama – faith in God, respect for authority, and love for our neighbor.

I believe that if we rebuild those foundations, our streets will be safer and our communities stronger. Programs and policies are vital, but they cannot replace the moral compass that comes from faith and family.

We must also stand firmly behind our police officers and deputies who put their lives on the line every day. They deserve respect and deserve to know that the officials elected to represent them have their backs. 

When violent offenders choose to terrorize our communities, they must be met with swift justice – not revolving doors and weak penalties.

We owe it to each and every Alabamian – in Montgomery and across the state – to ensure their neighborhoods are safe and their children can grow up free from violence.

I will continue working alongside President Trump, our Governor, and our local leaders to restore law and order. Alabama families deserve to live in communities where they feel safe – not where they are scared to leave their home.

Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. He is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026.