FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
July 29, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 2
ATTORNEY GENERAL STRANGE REVIEWS COMPLAINTS OF
VIOLATIONS OF ALABAMA GUN LAWS
(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
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
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
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