By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabama’s new gun laws, which allow residents to carry pistols openly and store unloaded weapons in their vehicles without a permit, will not allow weapons to be taken on Alabaster school property, School Board members said during an Aug. 15 meeting.

During the meeting, the Alabaster Board of Education voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice’s stance on the matter.

As a result of the resolution, Alabaster City Schools will post signs at all city school property – including sports fields – prohibiting firearms.

“We just want to reassure folks that weapons have no place in a school building or at a football game,” said Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. “No weapons are allowed on school campuses under any circumstances.”

Under Alabama’s new gun laws, which went into effect on Aug. 1, residents do not need pistol permits to openly carry pistols or to transport them unloaded in their vehicles.

Vickers said signs are already posted at Alabaster’s school campuses prohibiting firearms on school property, but said the School Board’s resolution will allow him to post “much more visible” signage.

Alabaster School Board President Adam Moseley said the School Board passed the resolution after conferring with the school system’s attorneys and the Alabama Department of Education.