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Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke in a 36-minute video recorded at Birmingham’s Real Time Crime Center and urged state lawmakers to take action to help reduce gun violence in the city.
Woodfin sat behind a table displaying 145 firearms throughout his recording, each one linked to a life lost in 2024. With more than a month left in the year, Birmingham has already surpassed the homicide total for 2023, and is on track to break the city’s all-time homicide record of 148, set in 1933.
In the video, his specific request was to allow Birmingham voters to decide whether permits should be required for people to carry firearms. The video, described as an “honest conversation” with the community, addressed the city’s ongoing gun violence crisis and potential solutions.
In January 2023, Alabama enacted a permitless carry law. This effectively allowed anyone 19 years or older, who is not prohibited by law, to carry a concealed firearm without a permit, background check, or required safety training.
Woodfin called on state lawmakers to “empower” Birmingham residents to have a say. He expressed his belief that many residents want stronger gun safety laws, but he stressed that such measures would need to come from the state legislature.
“If by vote from a majority of the residents of the City of Birmingham think that people either need a permit or these types of weapons should not be allowed to be driven around with, give it to the voters,” Woodfin said.
Because Alabama does not have home rule, Birmingham’s local government cannot make its own laws on issues like gun regulation.
“I live in a state where there is no home rule so I’m not allowed to say that you can’t drive around with these [guns] – I wish I could, because if I could, I would – and let me define that. I am a staunch advocate for the Second Amendment and I am also pragmatic and realistic enough to know that we need more gun safety – I am not talking about gun restrictions — I’m talking about gun safety,” said Woodfin
Mayor Woodfin also indicated he would continue to work with state leaders to explore ways to give Birmingham some flexibility in addressing the crisis.
“I’m not placing blame. I want to work together with people above me to find solutions to this issue,” Woodfin said.
Woodfin acknowledged the milestone the city is approaching, noting that Birmingham’s homicide rate in 2024 could soon surpass that of 1933, but that it would take more than additional resources.
“More laws won’t prevent every homicide. More police will not prevent every homicide. No Superman is coming to save Birmingham. What can prevent more homicides is a change of hearts and behaviors,” Mayor Woodfin said.
