Mayor of Montgomery Steven Reed has been at odds with the Alabama Legislature before over gun violence in Alabama’s capital city — but this time it appears more personal. Reed is now accusing the state of “failing” to protect Montgomery’s citizens.
After state legislators passed in 2022 a law allowing any person over the age of 18 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, Reed immediately spoke out against the measure.
On Wednesday, the Mayor said that Montgomery’s municipal government is taking action to cut down on the violence with a new city ordinance that appears to directly contradict that law.
“We’re taking action to address the senseless violence impacting our community,” Reed said and wrote in a video posted to social media. “Requiring a photo ID to carry a concealed weapon will help decrease the amount of guns in the hands of the wrong people. This is the latest of several steps we’re taking to make our community safer.”
RELATED: Montgomery City Council clashes with state law by passing concealed carry ordinance
He alleged that elected officials on the state level are “beholden” to the gun lobby and that they don’t truly care about the citizens of Montgomery.
“We’re going to use every measure possible to reduce the pain and suffering caused by guns in our community. When a state fails its citizens, cities must rise to the challenge, becoming the pillars of strength, innovation, and hope in the face of adversity. When lawmakers at the state level are more beholden to the gun lobby than they are the residents of our communities leaders at the local level must step up.”
Full video:
View this post on Instagram
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.