Governor Ivey signs bill to combat inner city gun violence into law

Governor Kay Ivey announced Monday that SB 119 has now been signed into law./Source: Office of Governor Kay Ivey

A bill designed to combat inner city gun violence has now been signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.

Sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot and Rep. Cynthia Almond, Senate Bill 119 increases penalties for gun-related crimes and expands Aniah’s Law to include additional crimes.

The bill includes:

1. New firearm possession prohibitions. It will now be a class C felony for someone to possess a firearm if he or she has been convicted of (a) any felony offense within the past five years or (b) three felony offenses at any time. It will now be a class C felony for someone to possess a firearm while out on bail awaiting trial for certain prescribed offenses (e.g., a violent offense).
2. Increased penalty for shooting into occupied dwelling. It will now be a Class A felony—not a Class B felony, as is the case under current law—for someone to shoot into an occupied dwelling.
3. New probation/parole sanctions for firearm possession. It will be easier to sanction probationers and parolees found in possession of a firearm. Moreover, a probationer or parolee’s conviction for illegal firearm possession will now result in mandatory revocation of his or her probation or parole.
4. Aniah’s Law expansion. Aniah’s Law will be expanded to include shooting into an occupied dwelling and solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder.

Most provisions in SB 119 will become effective October 1, 2025.

The only exception is the Aniah’s Law amendment, which will take effect upon ratification of the constitutional amendment proposed by Senate Bill 118.