FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 20, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL REVIEWS COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATIONS OF
ALABAMA GUN LAWS IN BIRMINGHAM, AUBURN, HUNTSVILLE,
MONTGOMERY, AND SOUTHSIDE
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today released public statements
about formal complaints received by his office concerning possible unlawful
prohibitions of firearms in Birmingham, Auburn, Huntsville, Montgomery and
Southside. After reviewing and investigating each complaint, where appropriate, the
Attorney General’s Office worked with the public entity to achieve compliance with
state law.
The results of the Attorney General’s investigations are summarized below, along with
the assigned numbers that may be used on the Attorney General’s website to locate
each response letter. To do so, go to http://www.ago.alabama.gov/Firearms, scroll
down and enter the number in the keyword box. When the next screen appears, scroll
again to the bottom and you will see a summary of the letter with the number on the
left. Click on the number, scroll again to the bottom of the screen, and you will find the
complete letter.
City of Birmingham (2017-025)
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the City of Birmingham failed
to comply with Alabama law because it prohibited firearms at the Southern Museum of
Flight. It was determined that the Southern Museum of Flight is permitted to prohibit
possession of firearms because it actively excludes unauthorized persons from entry
and requires the purchase of an admission ticket to enter. The Attorney General has
determined that no further action is required.
City of Auburn (2017-026)
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the City of Auburn failed to
comply with Alabama law because it prohibited weapons at City facilities through a
city ordinance. After the Attorney General’s Office communicated with the City, the
City stated that it has not enforced this ordinance and will not do so in the future. The
Attorney General has determined that no further action is required.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
City of Huntsville (2018-001)
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the City of Huntsville failed to
comply with Alabama law because The Huntsville Police Department’s Bike Unit at the
Von Braun Center was used only for storage. However, an investigation determined
that the bike unit was fully operational. Because the City is compliant with Alabama
law, the Attorney General determined that no further action is required.
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries/Montgomery State Farmers
Market (2018-002)
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the Alabama Department of
Agriculture and Industries failed to comply with Alabama law because it prohibited
firearms at the Montgomery State Farmers Market. After the Attorney General
communicated with the Department, the Department removed the signs prohibiting
firearms. Because the Department is compliant with Alabama law, the Attorney General
has determined that no further action is required.
Town of Southside (2018-003)
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the Town of Southside
unlawfully prohibited firearms at the Southside Community Center while it served as a
polling place. An investigation determined that once the oversight was brought to the
attention of the poll workers, immediate measures were taken to obscure the sign from
public view. To prevent a similar oversight in the future, the Town of Southside will
amend the sign to note that firearms are not prohibited when the Southside Community
Center is used as a polling place. Because the Town is compliant with Alabama law, the
Attorney General has determined that no further action is required.
Huntsville Hospital Health System (2018-004)
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the Huntsville Hospital System
failed to comply with Alabama law because it prohibited firearms at the Blackwell
Medical Tower. An investigation determined that signs prohibiting firearms were
posted at the Blackwell Medical Tower. Huntsville Hospital Health System explained
that the Blackwell Medical Tower is the western entrance point to Huntsville Hospital
Main, a 941-bed acute care hospital that serves patients, including inpatient and
custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental and emotional disorders. State law
allows firearms to be prohibited “[i]nside a facility which provides inpatient or
custodial care of those with psychiatric, mental or emotional disorders.” Because
Huntsville Hospital Health System is compliant with Alabama law, the Attorney
General has determined that no further action is required.
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