FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
June10, 2016
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 2
AG STRANGE REVIEWS COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATIONS OF ALABAMA GUN
LAWS BY JACKSONVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WEST MORGAN-EAST
LAWRENCE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY, TUSCALOOSA COUNTY PARK
AND RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY, TOWN OF ARITON
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today released public statements
about formal complaints received by his office concerning possible unlawful
prohibitions of firearms by the Jacksonville Housing Authority, West Morgan-East
Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority, Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreational
Authority and the Town of Ariton. 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
links to his determinations.
Jacksonville Housing Authority
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the Jacksonville Housing
Authority failed to comply with Alabama law because it prohibited firearms. After the
Attorney General communicated with the Jacksonville Housing Authority, he
determined that it met the requirements under Alabama Code ß 13A-11-61.3 to prohibit
the possession of firearms, because the building in question is designated by the
Authority for the use of a private organization – the Boys and Girls Club. Although the
facility is publicly-owned, it is private property for the purposes of the Alabama
firearms law due to the fact that it has been turned over to private persons who control
the building. For this reason, the Attorney General determined that there is no further
action required.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2016-022-Public-Statements
West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the West Morgan-East
Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority failed to comply with Alabama law because it
prohibited firearms. After the Attorney General communicated with the West Morgan-
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority, he determined that it meets the
requirements under Alabama Code ß 13A-11-61.3 to prohibit the possession of firearms,
because it limits access through the posting of guards and other security features. For
this reason, the Attorney General determined that no further action is required.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2016-023-Public-Statements
Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreational Authority
The Attorney General’s Office reviewed a complaint that the Tuscaloosa County Park
and Recreational Authority failed to comply with Alabama law because it prohibited
firearms at the Bobby Miller Activity Center. After the Attorney General communicated
with the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreational Authority, the signs prohibiting
firearms were removed. Because the signs are removed, the Attorney General has
determined that no further action is required.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2016-024-Public-Statements
Town of Ariton
The Attorney General’s Office received a complaint that the Town of Ariton failed to
comply with Alabama law because it prohibited firearms at the Ariton Sports Complex,
part of which is owned by the Town of Ariton and part by the Dale County Board of
Education. After the Attorney General’s Office communicated with the Town, the signs
on its portion of the property were taken down. However, because boards of education
are authorized by law to prohibit weapons on property used by students, the signs may
remain on portions of the complex owned by the Dale County Board of Education.
Because the Town of Ariton and the Dale County Board of Education are compliant
with Alabama law, the Attorney General has determined that no further action is
required.
http://www.ago.alabama.gov/File-Firearms-2016-025-Public-Statements
More detailed information for each of these cases and others 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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