(Replaces "Policy Concerning Firearms, Ammunition, and Other Dangerous Weapons" dated January 4, 1994. Replaces wording concerning this subject in staff, faculty, student, or other handbooks wherever that wording is contrary to the stipulations of this policy.)

See also stipulations concerning firearms in the UAB Student Housing and Residential Life Handbook.

Purpose

This policy governs the possession and use of firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It is applicable to all staff, faculty, students, patients, and visitors.

Policy Statement 

No firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons are allowed in buildings or other facilities of the University of Alabama at Birmingham at any time. A gun permit does not authorize a staff member, faculty member, student, patient, or visitor to bring firearms into UAB buildings or into other UAB facilities under any circumstances.

UAB prohibits the possession, transportation and use of firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons on University property. This policy applies to all employees (faculty and staff), contractors, students, patients and visitors. Exception is made for UAB Police officers, civil law enforcement officers, private security in the employ of the University or members of an officially recognized team or course who are acting strictly within the scope of sanctioned activities. Law enforcement officers who are attending classes as students, and who are not in uniform, must keep weapons concealed.

All firearms, ammunition, and dangerous weapons are prohibited on locked psychiatric units of the Hospital or clinics of the University. Firearm security boxes are provided for law enforcement officers on locked patient units.

The University complies with, and shall enforce, all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations relative to this policy and necessary for its enforcement.

Responsibilities for Enforcement 

As with any UAB policy, the directors or administrative heads of UAB departments and units are responsible for enforcing this policy as it relates to employees, including faculty. The Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for enforcing the policy as it relates to students. The UAB Police Department is responsible for enforcing the policy as it relates to contractors, patients and visitors to the campus.

It is recognized that under certain circumstances enforcement of this policy may result in a volatile or dangerous situation or encounter. Therefore, the procedures listed below are included as a guide for handling enforcement of this policy. Questions concerning enforcement of the policy in volatile or dangerous situations or encounters should be directed to the UAB Police Department.

Any questions concerning the administrative procedures for enforcing this policy should be directed to Human Resource Relations or to one’s supervisor, as appropriate. The Office of Human Resources will ensure consistent application of this policy to all employees across all areas of the campus.

Procedures for Enforcement

1. This policy will be published in staff, faculty, and student handbooks of the University. Until such time those handbooks sufficiently incorporate the provisions of this policy, any stipulations in those handbooks which are contrary to the provisions of this policy are superseded by the wording of this policy.
2. Appropriate signs indicating that firearms are not allowed in UAB buildings will be placed in outpatient and inpatient admitting areas and at other campus locations as deemed appropriate.
3. Persons who enter UAB buildings, Hospital buildings, or other facilities in possession of firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons should be made aware of this policy and must leave the premises immediately. They may return without the firearm, ammunition, or weapon.
4. A patient who arrives for admission to the UAB University Hospital in possession of a firearm, ammunition, or other dangerous weapon must turn such an item over to the UAB Police who will retain the item in safekeeping until retrieved by the patient upon discharge or by a family member. In either case, the person requesting return of a firearm must present a valid gun permit before the weapon will be released to him or her.
5. Visitors to the campus who violate this policy and who refuse to leave the premises with their firearms, ammunition, or weapons are to be escorted from the premises by the UAB Police. Staff members, faculty members, or students who violate this policy are to be disciplined and are required to turn over the firearms, ammunition, or weapons to the UAB Police Department. If they refuse to do so, they are to be escorted from the premises by the UAB Police.

Corrective Action for Employees

A violation of this policy by employees, including faculty, will result in corrective action up to and including termination.

As indicated above, enforcement of this policy may result in a volatile or dangerous situation or encounter in which case the UAB Police should be summoned. Once the immediate situation has been handled, violations of this policy by students should be reported to the appropriate Student Affairs office handling student nonacademic misconduct in the same manner in which other instances of nonacademic misconduct are reported and handled.

Implementation

The UAB Police Department is responsible for overseeing the implementation of procedures to enforce this policy as it relates to patients and visitors. The Office of Human Resources is responsible for procedures to implement this policy as it relates to staff and faculty. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for implementation of procedures which relate to enforcement of the policy with students and student organizations.