This proposed regulation will have the opposite of the intended affect by playing into the hands of terrorists, violent criminals, and the criminally insane.  We have had no shootings in state agencies and this prohibition on those with a concealed handgun permit, some of whom have active and ongoing threats to their lives, is entirely without any justification and needlessly and recklessly endangers innocent lives. All but two of the public massacres since 1950 had been committed by criminals and terrorists in “gun-free zones,” which is exactly what this regulation creates.

Disarming good citizens (who are the only ones likely to obey the prohibition) does not make them safer. Off-duty police officers are also prevented from carrying.

Bans in rest stops send a very uninviting message to, and endanger the lives of, interstate travelers.

Importantly the Governor has no authority for this regulation.  If the General Assembly wanted the Governor to have such power, they would have granted it to him explicitly, as is required constitutionally.

This proposed regulation is a solution for which there is no problem.  It endangers state employees, law abiding citizens, and the innocent by making state buildings a safe zone for terrorists, criminals, and the criminally insane to conduct their evil and savage actions. The cost of providing additional security to protect everyone who has been disarmed by this regulation will be prohibitive.

This regulation should not be approved and the emergency regulation withdrawn.

Please extended the comment period for another 30 days.