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Part of the Library 2.0 Service, Safety, and Security Series with Dr. Steve Albrecht

OVERVIEW: 

Changes in state-by-state gun laws now mean library staff may be seeing more pistols and long guns, displayed in both open carry and concealed carry, in their facilities. This can cause concern among staff and other patrons, because we don’t always know the intention of the gun carrier.

Context matters in these situations. Is the person displaying a firearm to be provocative? To scare people? To intimidate someone at the library, like another patron, or an employee? Is the person harmless, or reasonable until provoked about displaying the gun? Or does the person just believe in displaying their gun and their knowledge of state, local, and federal laws, all at the same time?

It can be difficult to know the person’s motives and even more confusing to agree when, or even if, library staff or library leaders should call the police when they see a gun. There is a huge difference between telling the dispatcher, “There’s a guy with a gun in the library!” and “There is a guy with a gun in the library.” The police need to know the details, because their response can range from a casual conversation with the gun owner to make sure everything is legal and calm, versus coming into a potential or actual active shooter situation.
This session will provide answers; ways to get useful information from both open and canceled carriers; protect the civil rights of all; and when necessary, use de-escalation tools to keep things peaceful and law-abiding for all parties.

Join Dr. Steve Albrecht, national library security expert, workplace violence prevention practitioner, and author of four books on concealed carry firearms.

LEARNING AGENDA: 

• Review the open carry firearms laws in all 50 states, as they pertain to public buildings, like libraries.
• How to ask careful questions of patrons carrying openly and concealed.
• How and why holsters make a big difference.
• Be able to recognize differences between revolvers, pistols, and long guns.
• Be able to de-escalate both concerned patrons and gun owners in the event of a confrontation between them.
• When, how, and why to talk to law enforcement 9-1-1 dispatchers about a gun in your library.

DATE: Monday, November 17, 2025, 2:00 - 3:00 pm US - Eastern Time

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Maryland State Library Agency.