FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 9, 2015
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
AG STRANGE REVIEWS COMPLAINT OF VIOLATIONS
OF ALABAMA’S GUN LAW IN SELMA, DALLAS COUNTY
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today released a public statement
about a formal complaint received by his office concerning possible unlawful prohibitions of
firearms by 10 city-owned entities in Selma and by the Dallas County sheriff.
The results of the Attorney General’s investigation follow, along with a link to his
determination.
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the Carl C. Morgan
Convention Center, Joe T. Smitherman Historic Building, Walton Theater, St. James Hotel,
Selma City Hall, Selma-Dallas County Public Library, Larry D. Stripling Performing Arts
Center, Central Alabama Animal Shelter, Selma Interpretive Center and the Selma City Ceramic
Art Program failed to comply with Alabama law because they prohibited firearms. The
complaint further stated that the Dallas County sheriff used language in its pistol permit stating
that the permit is not valid if the holder is under the influence of alcohol.
After the Attorney General communicated with the city attorney, the City of Selma
removed signs prohibiting weapons from these 10 entities. Because the city agreed to remove
the signs, the Attorney General will not file suit. The Attorney General communicated with the
Dallas County sheriff that state law does not allow a sheriff to place conditions upon issuing a
pistol permit. The sheriff agreed that the language of the permit should be changed. Because
the pistol permits now are compliant with Alabama law, the Attorney General will not bring an
enforcement action.
A link to the Attorney General’s determination can be found at
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2015-008-Public-Statements.
Information about this and previous determinations made by the Attorney General
regarding possible unlawful prohibition of firearms can be found on the Attorney General’s
website at http://www.ago.alabama.gov/Page-Firearms-Alabama-Public-Statements-13A-11-
61-3.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
