SB32 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; further provide for the crime of murder, manslaughter, and assault in the first and second degree; provide enhanced sentencing; define machinegun

Summary

SB32 defines machinegun and requires mandatory, enhanced prison terms for murder, manslaughter, and certain assaults when a machinegun is involved, including life imprisonment and age-based parole considerations.

What This Bill Does

Defines machinegun for Alabama law, including what counts as a machinegun and what does not. For deaths caused by a machinegun, imposes life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for adults (18+) and life imprisonment or life without parole for those under 18, with a 30-year minimum before parole if the case is a capital offense. For assaults where a machinegun is used, raises first-degree and second-degree assault to Class A felonies with a requirement of life imprisonment.

Who It Affects

• Adults (18+) who cause the death of another person with a machinegun will face life without parole for murder; for capital offenses, a minimum of 30 years before parole applies.
• Any person who uses a machinegun to injure or seriously injure another person in assault cases (including many listed roles like teachers, health care workers, utility workers, and others) will face Class A felony charges with mandatory life imprisonment.

Key Provisions

• Machinegun definition: firearm that shoots more than one shot automatically with a single trigger, parts to convert a firearm into a machinegun, or parts that allow assembly into a machinegun; excludes devices that increase rate of fire but do not allow more than two shots per trigger pull.
• Murder by machinegun: 18+ faces life imprisonment without parole; under 18 faces life imprisonment or life without parole; death caused by machinegun in capital offenses requires a minimum of 30 years before parole.
• Manslaughter by machinegun: death caused by a machinegun is a Class A felony with life imprisonment without parole.
• Assault by machinegun: first-degree assault is a Class A felony with life imprisonment if caused by a machinegun; second-degree assault is a Class A felony with life imprisonment if caused by a machinegun.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses