Council President CJ Small blames State Gun Law for Saenger Theatre Shooting

Mobile, AL (BuzzReport) – In the wake of a tragic shooting at the Saenger Theatre on Sunday, which resulted in the death of one man during a children’s dance recital, Mobile City Council President CJ Small has laid the blame squarely on the state government for recent changes in gun permit laws.

“After the State took away gun permits, and required no gun permits, everyone feels comfortable carrying a gun,” Small stated during a press conference. His comments reflect growing concerns over the implications of legislation passed in March 2022, when Governor Kay Ivey signed HB 272 into law, effectively removing the requirement for Alabama residents to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm, either in their vehicle or on their person. The bill, introduced by Mobile County Representative Shane Stringer, allowed individuals to carry firearms more freely, which critics argue has led to an increase in gun violence.

The incident unfolded on Sunday, June 1st, when Marcus Sanders entered the Saenger Theatre during a children’s performance. An altercation broke out between Sanders and Carl Williams, III, escalating into a physical confrontation. Witnesses report that amid the chaos, Sanders pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, fatally striking Williams and injuring another patron in the process.

Council President Small voiced concern over how easily firearm access without a permit can lead to dangerous situations. “If you’ve got two people out there arguing, and one feels threatened, he’s going to pull out his gun and shoot him. It’s nobody’s fault but the State,” Small lamented. He described the legislative move as a failure, stating, “The State has failed the citizens of Alabama, the State has failed the citizens of Mobile.”

Community leaders and law enforcement officials are grappling with the fallout from the incident, which has reignited a heated debate surrounding gun control measures in Alabama. Critics argue that the state’s decision to eliminate permit requirements has made it all too easy for individuals to carry firearms, raising significant public safety concerns.