Gov. Kay Ivey is weighing new restrictions on alcohol sales in entertainment districts after a mass shooting in downtown Montgomery on Oct. 4 left two people dead and 12 injured.

The changes, outlined in a letter from Alabama ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart, could affect nightlife zones across the state, including Baldwin County's growing entertainment districts.

Police said rival gunmen opened fire in a crowded nightlife area, according to a report by PBS. One woman was among the dead, and three of the injured, including a juvenile, were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

Ivey said she asked Stewart to review state alcohol laws that apply to businesses selling alcohol after 5 p.m. in heavily traveled areas. Stewart's Oct. 28 letter outlined steps the ABC Board could take on its own and proposals that would require legislative action.

The ABC Board's potential rule changes include banning package stores located inside entertainment districts from selling items that enable drinking outside, such as cups or ice. Stewart also suggested limiting how much alcohol businesses with special retail licenses can sell for off-premises consumption.

He said those adjustments represent the full extent of what the agency can manage under current authority. Additional ideas he recommended for lawmakers include curfews for minors in entertainment districts, restrictions on alcohol giveaways at large public events and allowing the state to suspend or terminate an entertainment district that fails to meet public safety standards.

Stewart wrote that the effort is aimed at improving safety statewide.

"My team and I have consulted with stakeholders, both in and out of state government, to identify sensible potential regulatory changes that can improve public safety," He wrote.

In Baldwin County, entertainment districts draw steady crowds during events and tourist seasons to places such as The Wharf in Orange Beach and downtown Foley, both centers of activity that are growing.

"There are many safeguards already in our entertainment ordinance that are for the safety of the public," Foley Main Street Executive Director Darrelyn Dunmore told Gulf Coast Media. "The big one is the law is still the law. You have to abide by all city laws within the district."

She said Foley officials spent months shaping the rules.

"We pulled other ordinances in small cities that we have seen work well and then created our own," Dunmore said. "If the police department, fire department, city officials or ABC feel it is necessary to add more rules to increase the safety of those visiting our downtown, we would certainly welcome them."

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said "there has been zero" incidents downtown since the Foley Arts and Entertainment District opened in November 2024.

"I believe we already exceed the minimum safety standards," he said.

Hellmich noted that festivals attract thousands and said that laws remain in effect. He also said Foley does not allow "free liquor" unless it is a restricted, ticketed event staffed by police and fire personnel.

Foley's six-page Entertainment District Ordinance lays out boundaries, operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and limitations on open containers. Only approved 16-ounce non-glass cups are allowed, and containers cannot be reused. The ordinaance also says the police chief may close the district at any time if safety concerns arise and may also limit the number of permits issued.

The district covers blocks surrounding Highway 59, West Rose Avenue, North and South Alston streets, Pine Street and West Laurel Avenue.

Gulf Coast Media also reached out to The Wharf in Orange Beach for its perspective on possible changes to entertainment district rules, but the venue did not respond.