Alabama ABC Board proposes new regulations after Oct. 4 mass shooting
At a request from Governor Kay Ivey, The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is making some changes following the October 4th mass shooting in downtown Montgomery.
In a letter to the Governor, Alabama ABC Board Administrator Curtis Stewart says the board reviewed ways that the state’s alcohol policies could help improve public safety. Governor Ivey had previously asked the board to look at ways to keep people both in the Capital City, and statewide, safe, especially during major city events and in areas that were heavily traveled.
Stewart says they will immediately propose the administrative rule changes to the board.
Among those changes include prohibiting package stores located in entertainment districts from selling products, like cups and ice, that facilitate off-premises drinking and limit the amount of alcohol that a special retail licensee may sell for off-premises consumption.
The ABC Board is also proposing ideas that go beyond their reach for the state’s lawmakers to consider. Those include imposing curfews for minors in entertainment districts, restricting giveaways of alcohol at large, public events in an entertainment district, and allowing the state to suspend or terminate an entertainment district if public safety standards are not met.
Stewart says the ABC Board is open to working with lawmakers during the 2026 Regular Session to pursue those reforms.
Governor Ivey released the following statement in response to the letter from the ABC Board.
“Public safety is paramount, and the state will continue being proactive to ensure safe communities for our citizens. I appreciate Administrator Stewart evaluating how we can take commonsense steps when it comes to alcohol consumption in entertainment districts across our state. I support the immediate steps he is proposing the ABC Board take, and I look forward to further exploring possible reasonable policy changes to enhance public safety.” – Governor Kay Ivey
The October 4th shooting happened in downtown Montgomery near Bibb and Commerce Streets. Two people were killed and twelve others were injured.
At least four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting. Mayor Steven Reed says more arrests are likely, as the investigation continues.
