(a) All employees, except for police officers and other employees specifically authorized by the Chief of Police of the City of St. Clairsville to carry a firearm while on duty, are prohibited from entering property under the ownership or control or operation of the City of St. Clairsville while carrying a firearm of any kind regardless of whether or not the person is licensed to carry the firearm.
(b) “Firearm” as used in this section shall mean any deadly weapon capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant. “Firearm” includes an unloaded firearm and any firearm that is inoperable but that can readily be rendered operable.
(c) “Property” as referenced in this section means:
(1) All City facilities, including but not limited to buildings, parking lots, parks, and surrounding areas such as sidewalks, walkways and driveways;
(2) City vehicles of all types and personal vehicles while on the City property that are being used for business of the City;
(3) All work sites, including areas where City and personal vehicles are parked while employees are engaged in work for the City.
(d) Employees of the City of St. Clairsville are also prohibited from carrying a firearm while in the course and scope of performing their job, whether or not they are on City property at the time. This prohibition is also applicable to City sponsored recreational functions such as parties or picnics.
(e) Legal, chemical dispensing devices, such as pepper sprays that are sold commercially for personal protection are not covered by this ordinance.
(f) Employees with a question about whether or not an item is covered by this policy should direct the question for their immediate supervisor. Employees are responsible for making certain an item they possess is not covered by this ordinance before bringing it on to City property or on their person or vehicle while in the course and scope of conducting City business.
(g) Employees are to report individuals violating any provision of this ordinance to their supervisor or to the Mayor of the City of St. Clairsville.
(h) The Mayor serves the right to authorize the Chief of Police to conduct a search of any employee, person, vehicle or object the enters onto property controlled by the City, or any work-site, if there is reason to believe that an employee is in violation of this ordinance. With such reasonable suspicion, searches may be conducted on employee’s desks, lockers, purses, brief cases, baggage, lunch sacks, clothing or vehicles.
(i) This policy shall not be construed to create any duty or obligation on the part of the City of St. Clairsville to take any action beyond those required of an employer by existing law.
(j) Violations of this policy shall be dealt with on a case by case basis and for those employees who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the City of St. Clairsville, said agreement shall be followed in regards to disciplinary measures which can be taken against employees for violation of employer rules and regulations.
(Ord. 2004-31. Passed 6-21-04.)