This story has been updated to clarify the context of comments from state Rep. Phillip Ensler.
After a mass shooting Saturday night in Birmingham, various politicians have called for the have called for legislation making the “Glock switches” allegedly used in the shooting illegal in Alabama.
Glock switches, also known as trigger activators, are a firearm part that allows a semi-automatic handgun to fire at the same speed as an automatic weapon. A semi-automatic fires one round with each trigger pull. An automatic weapon fires rounds as long as the trigger is pulled.
As of Sunday afternoon, Saturday’s shooting had killed four people and injured 21.
More: At least 4 dead, 21 injured in Birmingham mass shooting
State Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, said that while some people who plan to carry out shootings will do so regardless, requiring a permit to carry would “deter and stop some people from getting their hands on guns.”
“It’s not going to stop every use of them, but it certainly can save some lives,” Ensler said, “and if we can save some lives, then it’s absolutely worth it.”