Families impacted by gun violence react to Safer Alabama bill package
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Governor Kay Ivey joined Alabama mayors, law enforcement and lawmakers on Wednesday to advocate for a bill package aimed at supporting law enforcement and reducing gun violence in the state.
Marvin Billups is one Alabamian impacted by gun violence, losing his son Demarco Billups on New Years Eve to gun violence in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Billups said he's now using his tragic loss to speak out against gun violence and advocate for change.
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'Once a life is ended you can't get that back or bring that back, so my initiative for me? It's personal to get out in the community and do what I can to be a voice,' said Billups.
Billups initiative is one Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox spoke about during Gov. Kay Ivey's event for the Safer Alabama Bill package.
'There's nothing you can say to someone who has lost their son to tragic gun violence that can heal that wound,' said Mayor Maddox.
According to Gov. Ivey, the 'Safe Alabama' bill package is also an effort to expand Aniah's Law, a state law passed following the abduction and death of 19-year-old college student Aniah Blanchard, which allows a judge to deny bail to violent offenders.
'Turning a tragic situation to help and prevent others from going through the same trauma we have gone through as Aniah's parents, it brings me great joy,' said Aniah Blanchard's father, Elijah Blanchard.
Blanchard said the need to end violence in all realms is necessary now more than ever.
'Gun violence is out of control, it's too accessible. They can go anywhere and buy it the same day and that's just not very safe and we hope we can put a governor on that to help this law be more instrumental, and I hope that this law will be more instrumental to help those guidelines be more strictly enforced,' said Blanchard.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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