A pistol (left) is compare next to one that has a "switch" protruding from the back of the firearm. The switch manipulates the gun's firing mechanism, giving it automatic firing capability.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
A pistol modified with a “switch” to fire automatically is shown next to a 50-round drum. According to law enforcement officials, a shooter could exhaust an entire magazine in a matter of seconds when it is used with a switch device.
The front windows at Urban Emporium in downtown Mobile can be shattered following a deadly gang-related shooting on New Year's Eve that injured seven bystanders.
South Alabama has a new gun problem. When considering an already alarming rate of gun-related homicide and assaults, stolen firearms and the proliferation of guns into the hands of violent and potentially violent subjects, a new problem isn’t something the region can afford.
Under federal law, possessing automatic firearms is all but forbidden for the average citizen. Those who want them can only legally obtain ones manufactured prior to 1986, and they must file appropriate documentation to transfer their ownership, which can be lengthy and cost tens of thousands of dollars. This generally means there is a very high bar to clear to get one’s hands on an automatic weapon in the U.S. However, thanks to a rather simple device, access to automatic firepower is a whole lot easier for those with no regard for the law.
A pistol (left) is compare next to one that has a "switch" protruding from the back of the firearm. The switch manipulates the gun's firing mechanism, giving it automatic firing capability.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine points out a switch clipped onto the end of a 9mm handgun recently confiscated during a December drug trafficking raid.
The front windows at Urban Emporium in downtown Mobile can be shattered following a deadly gang-related shooting on New Year's Eve that injured seven bystanders.
A pistol modified with a “switch” to fire automatically is shown next to a 50-round drum. According to law enforcement officials, a shooter could exhaust an entire magazine in a matter of seconds when it is used with a switch device.
Dale Liesch has been helping to keep Mobile Bay funky since 2014. He covers the city of Mobile and brings dad jokes into the office almost every day. He studied journalism at the University of Alabama and graduated way back in 2007.
Dale Has won a number of awards from both the Alabama and Virginia press association over his career. The one he is most proud of is the First Amendment Award from the Alabama Press Association for a story on the Prichard City Council.
Originally from the wilderness of Baldwin County, he grew up around animals, including ducks, chickens, dogs, a horse, a rarely seen cat and an angry goat. In his adult life the menagerie has shrunken to just two very lazy, well-fed dogs. Dale is married to Hillary Liesch and the couple has one daughter. The family lives in Mobile.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
The Alabama House has sent a bill to the Senate that would increase the cut off on lodging, sales and use tax rebates on films from $20 million to $50 million. The incentives have brought film companies flocking to the state and have resulting in movies, such as "About My Father" and others to film on location in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Log In
If you're an existing lagniappemobil.com subscriber, but haven't been on our new website, you'll need to click HERE to re-enter your password and let our site know you're not a robot. This is the only time you'll need to do this but our new site doesn't have your password information.
Reset Password
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
Forgot Password
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.