[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Sussex County 10-31-2017 by Ord. No. 2529. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
Possession of firearms prohibited. Except as set forth in Subsection E below, possession of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives is prohibited in all County buildings. Persons in violation shall be denied entrance to the building or shall be ordered to leave the building.
B.
County building defined. For purposes of this section, "County buildings"
shall be defined as any building where a County government entity
meets in its official capacity or containing the offices of elected
officials and of public employees actively engaged in performing governmental
business, but excluding any parking facility; provided, however, that
if such building is not a County-owned or -leased building, such building
shall be considered a County building for the purposes of this section
only during the time such government entity is meeting in or occupying
such a building.
C.
Required signs. In all County buildings, a conspicuous sign shall
be posted at each entrance stating that the possession of firearms,
ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives are prohibited.
Such sign may also state that persons in violation shall be denied
entrance to the building or shall be ordered to leave the building.
D.
Immediate departure. Any person who immediately foregoes entry or
immediately exits any County building due to the possession of a firearm,
ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives shall not be guilty
of violating this section.
E.
Exceptions. The following shall constitute valid exceptions to this
section:
(1)
Possession of firearms, components of firearms, and ammunition or
explosives by law enforcement officers;
(2)
Law enforcement agencies receiving shipments or delivery of firearms,
components of firearms, ammunition, or explosives;
(3)
Law enforcement agencies conducting firearm or ammunition safety
and training programs, donation, amnesty, or any other similar programs
in County buildings;
(4)
Compliance by persons subject to protection from abuse court orders;
(5)
Carrying of firearms and ammunition by persons who hold a valid license
pursuant to either § 1441 or § 1441A of Title
11 of the Delaware Code so long as the firearm remains concealed except
for inadvertent display or for self-defense or defense of others;
(6)
Carrying of firearms and ammunition by officers or employees of the
United States duly authorized to carry a concealed firearm; or
(7)
Carrying of firearms and ammunition by agents, messengers and other
employees of common carriers, banks, or business firms, whose duties
require them to protect moneys, valuables and other property and are
engaged in the lawful execution of such duties.
