With numerous threats of harm being investigated in schools all across Alabama since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida where 17 students and faculty were killed by a former student, AL.com has rounded up answers to questions being asked about guns and safety on Alabama's K-12 and community college campuses.

Parents and families are understandably concerned about whether their children are safe at school and what precautions schools are required to take.

Other parents are wondering if they keep their child home from school when a threat has been made against their child's school, will the absence will be excused.

The big question: is a gun ever allowed on a public K-12 or community college campus in Alabama? (Spoiler alert: no, not even with a concealed carry permit.)

Here's a roundup of questions and answers regarding guns on campus, code red drills, and who makes the decision as to whether absences due to safety threats are excused.

Are guns allowed on Alabama's public school K-12 campuses?

No, with one exception: Sworn law enforcement officers are allowed to carry a gun onto a public K-12 school campus or into a school building.

No teachers or faculty or other staff are ever allowed to have a gun on public K-12 school property. Ever.

A 2014 Alabama Attorney General Opinion made that perfectly clear. Further, the opinion directed all boards of education to adopt a policy to that effect. The opinion reads in part:

"A board of education that has not previously adopted an express policy prohibiting all persons, other than authorized law enforcement personnel, from bringing or possessing any deadly weapon or dangerous instrument on school property is required to do so."

[Scroll down to see full opinion.]

Are public K-12 schools required to have "code red" lockdown drills?

Yes. Two code red drills are required each school year, with one being held in the first six weeks of the fall semester and a second being held in the first six weeks of the spring semester. (Alabama State Department of Education Compliance Monitoring Manual, p. 72)

Will a student's absence be excused when a threat to their K-12 public school is discovered?

The answer: maybe.

That decision must be made by the local board of education, according to Alabama State Department of Education Communications Director Michael Sibley.

"Our position is always whatever is in the best interest of the student," Sibley wrote in a statement to AL.com. "That is regarding any form of safety and/or making sure students are in an environment conducive to learning."

The Alabama Attendance Manual lists among reasons for excused absences, "Emergency conditions as determined by the principal." (Alabama Attendance Manual, revised 2015, p. 29).

What K-12 superintendents were told last week

On Feb. 16, Alabama Interim Superintendent Ed Richardson sent a memo to all superintendents across the state laying out the rules regarding guns in schools.

In addition to containing what state law says, Richardson made three additional points:

First, students and school employees who violate the policy on guns may be disciplined.

Second, anyone other than a student or school employee who brings a gun on campus should be told they are in violation of the school's policy and asked to leave. "If they fail to leave the property on request," the memo states, "they may be subject to arrest for criminal trespass."

Third, schools should post notices "at all points of entry onto school property and into school buildings stating, 'FIREARMS PROHIBITED.'"

Are guns allowed on Alabama's community college campuses?

No, with one exception:

Law enforcement officers legally authorized to carry such weapons who are officially enrolled in classes or are acting in the performance of their duties or an instructional program in which firearms are required equipment. (Alabama Community College System Board Policy 511.01: Firearms on Campus, effective 4-13-2016)

Alabama Attorney General 2014 Opinion prohibiting guns on public K-12 school campuses by Trisha Powell Crain on Scribd

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Memorandum from Alabama State Superintendent of Education regarding guns in K-12 public schools - Feb. 16,... by Trisha Powell Crain on Scribd