(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today released public statements about formal complaints received by his office concerning possible unlawful prohibitions of firearms by a state agency, local government and law enforcement, and two universities. After reviewing and investigating each complaint, the Attorney General’s Office worked with the public entity to achieve compliance with state law. With respect to universities, however, the Attorney General does not have enforcement authority under the applicable statutes.
In July, the Attorney General’s office reviewed complaints about firearms policies of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), the City of Moulton, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Auburn University and the University of South Alabama. As required by statute, the Attorney General thoroughly investigated these complaints. The results of the Attorney General’s investigations are summarized below, along with links to his determinations.
Alabama Department of Transportation
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed numerous complaints about the Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) policy of banning firearms at state rest areas and determined that ALDOT’s firearm prohibition violates state law. After the Attorney General notified ALDOT that its policy was unlawful, ALDOT agreed to rescind its ban on firearms at state rest areas.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2015-002-Public-Statements
City of Moulton
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint about the City of Moulton’s prohibition of firearms at the Moulton Recreation Center and Alexander Park. As a result of the Attorney General’s investigation, the City of Moulton removed signs prohibiting firearms at the Moulton Recreation Center and at Alexander Park.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2015-003-Public-Statements
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office’s pistol permits included conditions that violated state law. As a result of the Attorney General’s investigation, the Sheriff agreed to omit the conditions and include only this language on permits: “License to carry a Revolver or a Pistol Concealed on the person or in a vehicle is hereby granted, except where State law prohibits.”
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2015-004-Public-Statements
Auburn University and the University of South Alabama
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the University of South Alabama and Auburn University both prohibit the carrying of firearms by all members of the university community, including visitors. After being contacted by the Attorney General’s office, both universities confirmed that they do indeed prohibit the carrying of firearms on campus. However, the Legislature has not given the Attorney General’s Office the authority to enforce state firearms law with respect to public universities.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2015-001-Public-Statements
“The Second Amendment Rights of Alabamians must be protected and I am committed to doing so,” said Attorney General Strange. “In a number of cases, violations of Alabama’s gun laws have been corrected after my office’s review. Most notably, ALDOT has agreed to remove signs from all state rest areas prohibiting firearms.”
More detailed information for each case can be found on the AG’s web site:
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/Page-Firearms-Alabama-Public-Statements-13A-11-61-3
