Hope in action is the driving force behind Whitney/Strong, and by supporting our work to reduce gun violence, you're embracing that same spirit. While anger and frustration can spark initial involvement, they are not a long-term solution. I believe we can find a more sustainable path, one that doesn't require us to dwell in those negative emotions. I believe in a future where we can move forward with hope, not just anger.
Hope in action changes how we approach advocacy. We are driven to act because we hold onto hope for a better tomorrow. To us, hope in action means we believe in a future where children are no longer at risk for school shootings. Hope in action is believing in the potential for peace and prosperity in communities hardest hit by violence. And it’s believing that those struggling with suicidal thoughts can find the support they need to live full, meaningful lives.
Once you can really see that vision in your mind, just like Dr. King held onto his dream for equality for Black Americans, the whole fight changes. It feels different. It's got a kind of strength that'll keep it going, no matter what.
I'm convinced hope in action is the way forward, but I also know there are moments when we just feel drained, needing a little push to remember that our vision is within reach. I'm certain you know those moments too. So, I want to do a better job of sharing some reasons to hold onto that hope, together. Here's just one that had me doing a happy dance.
Last Wednesday Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that makes possession of a Glock switch a Class C felony in Alabama. Glock switches, which are devices that convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons, have become a significant concern in Alabama, as they have been used in many crimes, including mass shootings. While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, the Governor and Legislature cited a need to empower local law enforcement to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off their streets.
Alabama has a Republican supermajority in both chambers and a Republican governor. Typically, any legislation limiting access to firearms or devices is a dead end in a state like Alabama. However, the right set of circumstances existed to allow this piece of bipartisan legislation to move through the legislature with 0 No Votes in the Senate and only 16 in the House.
You might wonder, what were the right conditions? First, there was a pressing problem: Birmingham experienced a dramatic surge in homicides in 2024, often involving conversion devices.1 Governor Ivey, having already prioritized public safety for 2025, recognized these devices as a central issue.2 Ultimately, through a commitment to identifying the problem, collaborating on bipartisan solutions, and responding to the strong demands of their constituents, the Governor and legislature acted.
Supporters let's be clear: this is a major accomplishment! A bipartisan bill restricting firearm access hasn't become law in a state legislature since 2018, when the Florida Legislature acted following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Let's celebrate this achievement alongside our fellow Americans in Alabama. Let's keep our shared hope for a future without gun violence strong. And I encourage you to take a few moments to reach out to your elected officials, highlighting Alabama's example. Tell them: "Alabama has passed bipartisan legislation to prevent gun violence. I urge you to do the same."
Believe change will come.
-Whitney Austin, Executive Director and Co Founder
1 https://birminghamwatch.org/2025/01/15/birmingham-mayor-state-of-community/
2 https://wbhm.org/2025/birmingham-mayor-warns-violators-after-alabama-bans-gun-conversion-devices/