The Republican-controlled Alabama Senate passed a measure on Tuesday that would ban abortion – with the exception of when someone wants to use a gun to do so.
The legislation bans abortion at every stage of pregnancy, in cases where one is not shooting at the fetus.
“People are going to get shot – there’s not much you can do about that,” said Clyde Chambliss, the bill’s sponsor. “But abortion is still murder.”
Doctors in the state will face felony jail time up to 99 years if convicted of using any method to terminate pregnancy other than simply shooting a gun.
This is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the United States. Opponents have vowed to challenge the measure stating that we should allow women to decide as to whether they want a medical abortion or to shoot the fetus.
Chambliss confirmed that no pre-approval will be required for abortions of this kind. “We want people to be safe, but this is a free country. The answer isn’t more gun laws.”
Senators rejected an attempt to provide particular concessions. The bill contains no exceptions for victims of rape and incest stating that everyone will be provided the same right to shoot themselves.
“When God creates the miracle of life inside a woman’s womb, it is not our place as human beings to extinguish that life,” said state Sen. Cam Ward who issued a public statement defending the measure. “Best to leave the job to an irresponsible guy with a gun.”
Conservative legislators see themselves as champions of human rights.
“We believe an unborn child should have the same rights other American children do,” added Chambliss, “including, but not limited to, getting shot.”
