§ 38-4-11. Possession or concealment of weapons in city buildings prohibited.

(a)

Purpose. This section is declared necessary for the care, protection, control and management of public buildings owned by and/or controlled by the City of Detroit and located within its corporate boundaries, and to preserve the public peace, health, safety and welfare of city employees and of persons who have business or personal reasons to visit city public buildings.

(b)

Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:

City means the City of Detroit.

Conceal means to intentionally hide, place out of sight, disguise, or do any other act to prevent a weapon from being discovered or observed.

Possess means to carry or have control over a weapon with knowledge of its presence.

Weapon means:

(1)

A loaded or unloaded firearm that is thirty (30) inches or less in length, or a loaded or unloaded firearm whose construction and appearance conceals it as a firearm, from which a dangerous projectile may be propelled by an explosive, gas, or air;

(2)

A dagger, dirk, knife, razor, or stiletto having a blade over three (3) inches in length.

(c)

Prohibition. Except as otherwise provided for in subsections (d), (e), and (f), of this section, it shall be unlawful to possess or conceal a weapon in any public building owned and/or controlled by the city and located within its corporate boundaries including, but not limited to, Civic Center Department buildings, Department of Elections buildings, Department of Public Works buildings, Department of Transportation buildings, Detroit Water and Sewerage buildings, Employment and Training Department buildings, Fire Stations, Health Department buildings, Historic Department buildings, Human Services Department buildings, Neighborhood City Halls, Police Stations, Public Lighting Department buildings, Recreation Centers.

(d)

Public safety exception. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer may possess or conceal a weapon while at a public building identified in subsection (c) of this section.

(e)

Security personnel exception. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, authorized security personnel may possess or conceal a weapon while at a public building identified in subsection (c) of this section, where the security personnel are providing services at such public building under a contract with the City of Detroit or, upon approval by the City of Detroit and notice to the chief of police, under a subcontract for the provision of such services.

(f)

Weapons programs exception. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a person who complies with applicable gun registration requirements may possess an unloaded weapon at a public building identified in subsection (c) of this section when participating in a city gun buy-back program, turning in a weapon to the city for disposal or destruction, or presenting an unloaded weapon at a Detroit Police Department facility for safety inspection or registration.

(g)

Posting and maintaining of Signs. The city shall post and maintain signs at all public entrances to the buildings identified in subsection (c) of this section, which notify the public that it is unlawful to possess or conceal weapons in those public places. The signs shall have lettering that is distinctive, is contrasting to the background, and is easily read. Letters shall have a minimum height of three-quarters (¾) of an inch and shall be posted in English and, as respective department directors shall deem appropriate, other languages.

(h)

Penalties. Possession or concealment of a weapon in a public building identified in subsection (c) of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or ninety (90) days in jail, or both in the discretion of the court.

(Ord. No. 22-02, § 1, 11-13-02; Ord. No. 31-02, § 1, 12-19-02)