(a) In the interest of protecting the safety of employees and citizens of the City of Martins Ferry, Council hereby adopts the following firearms policy for the City of Martins Ferry.
(b) Effective April 8, 2004, as required by Ohio R.C. 2923.1212, the following signs (or language substantially similar) will be posted at the entrance of every City owned building, and at the entrance to the portion of any non City owned building which is leased by the City.
“Pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person’s control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises. A valid license does not authorize the licensee to carry a concealed handgun onto these premises.”
(c) Employees and officials of the City of Martins Ferry, other than law enforcement officers specially authorized to carry a firearm, are prohibited from carrying firearms into any City building, in any City vehicle, or at any time while they are acting within the course and scope of their employment.
(d) Employees and officials of the City of Martins Ferry, other than law enforcement officers specifically authorized to carry a firearm, are prohibited from bringing a handgun onto a City owned parking lot, even if it is kept in their own vehicle, except for employees with a valid license to carry a concealed handgun.
(e) A City employee or official with a valid license to carry a concealed handgun may bring a handgun onto a City owned parking lot, but must leave the handgun in their own locked vehicle, either in the glove compartment (or other locked compartment), in the trunk, or locked inside a gun case, when they report for work. An employee or official with a valid license to carry a concealed handgun who is reporting for work may remove the handgun from their own vehicle parked on City property only for the purpose of transporting it to and from the trunk of the vehicle for storage.
(f) Any City employee or official who violates this policy is acting outside the course and scope of their duties. The City of Martins Ferry will not defend or indemnify such actions by any City official or employee. Any City employee found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
(g) City employees who use a firearm or make comments about firearms in such a way that intimidates, harasses, coerces, or threatens another City employee will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
(Ord. 2004-15. Passed 4-14-04.)