Grace Carter was in the middle of her Tuesday night Bible study class at Everlasting Life Holiness Church, just three days after Christmas in 2021. According to witnesses, it appeared as though she had suddenly experienced a cardiac arrest.
Dee Carter, the founder of the Amazing Grace Foundation dedicated to addressing gun violence, shared the heartbreaking story of her mother’s tragic demise. According to Carter, her mother used to visit the place regularly every Tuesday. Reflecting on the incident, Carter revealed, “(The shooter) was cruising the streets, trying to target someone else. Little did we know that it would be my mother. She left home that day, completely unaware that it would be her last.”
Grace Carter is not the only one facing this issue. In Mobile County, officials are taking action to address the alarming trend of people shooting at both occupied and unoccupied buildings and vehicles. They believe that implementing stricter penalties will help put an end to this dangerous behavior.
During a news conference at Mobile’s Government Plaza on Monday, state legislation in the form of HB174 was introduced. This legislation aims to increase the severity of felony charges for individuals who are found guilty of discharging a firearm at occupied and unoccupied dwellings or vehicles.
If the bill passes, both offenses will be considered the most serious felonies in Alabama, carrying the same level of punishment as murder.
State Representative Barbara Drummond, who hails from D-Mobile and is the sponsor of the bill filed on Friday, passionately expressed her belief that the ongoing and tragic loss of innocent lives must be put to an end. She firmly stated, “The only means at my disposal to effect change is through the modification of existing legislation.”
Shooting into an occupied building or vehicle would be upgraded from a Class B to a Class A felony under the proposed legislation, while shooting into an unoccupied building or vehicle would be upgraded from a Class C felony to a Class A.
In Alabama, committing murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, or arson is considered a Class A offense. If convicted, the offender can face a punishment of 10 to 99 years in prison and may be required to pay fines of up to $60,000.
Drummond remarked that a significant number of perpetrators are unaware of who might be on the other side of the wall or whether the building is occupied or unoccupied. He found it alarming that when these individuals target homes, their intention is not just to cause harm but to ensure that no one survives. This not only results in the loss of innocent lives but also instills fear and terrorizes families.
Drummond stood alongside Republican Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch and Police Chief Paul Prine, both of whom expressed their support for the bill. They believe that this legislation is a crucial step towards addressing the alarming increase in random shootings that often result in tragic outcomes.
On January 15, a tragic incident occurred on Interstate 165, which brought attention to the issue at hand. During a rolling shootout, a 15-year-old girl lost her life while being a passenger in an SUV. Additionally, a 9-year-old child was also wounded in the incident. This high-profile event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers we face on our roads.
According to Prine, the community needs to put an end to the issue at hand. He believes that the current situation showcases a united front, with everyone working towards a common goal of saving lives.
Drummond expressed uncertainty regarding the handling of HB174 in a Legislature that holds a supermajority Republican position. Despite objections from law enforcement, the Legislature had previously voted in favor of permitless carry two years ago.
Drummond expressed her optimism, stating that she has garnered support from several Republicans for her proposal. She is confident that it will be brought up for discussion in a legislative committee in the near future.
According to Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, the bill’s primary focus is on public safety rather than being a Second Amendment issue.
According to Shirey, there is a possibility of amending the legislation to specifically target the Class A felony for shooting into an unoccupied building. This offense is currently treated the same as shooting into an occupied dwelling under HB174.
According to him, the legislation is necessary due to the increasing number of concerning incidents.
He expressed concern about shooting into a building without knowing if there are people inside. The lack of knowledge about whether the building is occupied or not doesn’t seem to affect the shooter’s intent.
According to Burch, the main idea behind HB174 is to ensure that individuals who shoot into a building, regardless of whether it is occupied or not, are arrested and convicted before they have the chance to commit a murder.
“The principle behind it is to catch potential criminals at an early stage, incarcerate them, and ultimately prevent a heinous crime like murder.”
According to Nikklos Kidd, the CEO of the Mobile-based non-profit Measure of a Man project, if lawmakers were able to implement mandatory-minimum sentences for individuals possessing small amounts of fentanyl, as they did last spring, then they should also consider imposing stricter penalties for those who shoot at buildings and vehicles.
Kidd expressed his disbelief and frustration, questioning the motive behind shooting into someone’s home without any regard for the people inside. He emphasized the urgency of taking a stand and saying “enough is enough” to such senseless violence.
Mobile City Council President C.J. Small expressed his belief that the legislation has the potential to address and rectify an issue that is currently damaging Mobile’s reputation.
Small stated that the problem appears larger than it actually is due to the actions of a small group of individuals. He assured that every effort will be made to prevent such incidents from occurring in order to ensure the safety and well-being of people attending church, the MoonPie drop on New Year’s Eve, and Mardi Gras parades. The aim is to allow everyone to fully enjoy their quality of life without any concerns.
Grace Carter’s family is hopeful that the legislation can make a difference in saving lives.
Dee Carter expressed her frustration, stating, “These things are senseless. We need improved laws to ensure that innocent families do not have to endure the same suffering as mine.”
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