On the same day state leaders announced tougher state action in Alabama’s capital city, Mayor Steven Reed pointed the finger at “lax gun laws,” arguing the state permitless carry and limits on city ordinances were responsible for Saturday’s downtown shootout that left two dead and more than a dozen injured.
In a written response to Governor Kay Ivey’s Monday directives to restore order in Montgomery, Reed claimed “there is no legislation that can stop that kind of evil in the moment,” but asserted Alabama law makes it too easy to carry firearms and too hard for officers to intervene.
As previously reported, Governor Ivey made clear that Alabama has already taken steps, from deploying the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit to passing new state laws to enhance public safety, however, the latest shooting proves more forceful measures are needed.
Mayor Reed’s full statement:
“Our hearts remain with the victims and families impacted by this senseless act of violence.
We continue to pray for their recovery and for healing across our community.
As I said this weekend, what happened near Bibb and Commerce Streets was reckless and selfish.
When people are willing to open fire in a crowded area with no regard for human life, there is no legislation that can stop that kind of evil in the moment.
But there are laws that make it harder—or easier—for cities and law enforcement to keep weapons out of the hands of people who should not have them.
The truth is, Alabama’s gun laws have become so lax that it has taken critical tools away from police officers.
Today, anyone can carry a concealed weapon without a license or training.
That’s a change from just a few years ago, when permits helped keep firearms out of the hands of people with violent backgrounds.
Montgomery’s City Council and I attempted to bring a measure of accountability by requiring anyone openly carrying a firearm to show identification upon request.
That ordinance would have given officers the ability to verify who was armed in public spaces—especially downtown.
But under current state law, enforcing such an ordinance could have cost Montgomery state funding.
That is a problem, not a solution.
Despite these limitations, our police department continues to perform at a high level.
Five MPD officers were within the immediate area when this shooting occurred—one within 50 feet.
They responded within seconds, secured the scene, and are now working with state and federal partners to bring every offender to justice.
Overall crime in Montgomery continues to trend downward because of our officers’ dedication and our community’s commitment to prevention and accountability.
We welcome any assistance the state is willing to provide.
But real safety requires more than additional troopers or task forces—it requires the courage to confront the culture of easy access to guns and a lack of responsibility among those who carry them.
Montgomery is strong, and we will continue leading from the front to make our capital city safer for everyone.”
The Saturday night shootout in the heart of downtown Montgomery left two dead and 12 wounded, five critically.
Police say a targeted confrontation escalated when multiple armed individuals fired into the crowd. As of Monday, no arrests had been announced. A $50,000 reward is posted, and state and federal partners, including ALEA, ATF, and the FBI, are assisting.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said on Sunday that in response to the shooting, his office stands ready for “revisiting the conversation about the state’s authority over its capital” along with fellow state officials.
“These events underscore, once again, that our capital city is in crisis. Though the blame lies with those who carelessly pulled the triggers, I continue to be troubled by the city leadership’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge that they have a serious problem,” Marshall wrote.
“While I believe that local law enforcement is doing the best they can, the People of Montgomery deserve leaders who are competent, accountable, and committed to restoring law and order. As a resident of Montgomery myself, I remain committed to our efforts to turn this city around and to revisiting the conversation about the state’s authority over its capital.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), the frontrunner to become Alabama’s next governor, has previously indicated he was open to requesting federal assistance, up to and including National Guard boots on the ground, to address violent crime in Alabama’s largest cities.
“I am deeply disturbed by what took place in Alabama’s capital city last night. Crime has become too common in Montgomery, and this cannot continue. It’s past time for city leadership to take responsibility and put an end to this,” Tuberville wrote on Sunday.
“My prayers are with the victims and their families of last night’s horrific shooting.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
