Action | Promulgation of new regulation banning concealed firearms in executive branch agency offices |
Stage | Emergency/NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 1/27/2016 |
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This "emergency" regulation should not be approved and the emergency regulation should be withdrawn. The Governor's proposed regulation plays into the hands of terrorists, violent criminals, and the criminally insane. First, concealed permit holders provide an important variable in the planning calculus of criminals. The fact that concealed permit holder exist, is in itself a criminal deterrent. Second, there have been no shootings in state agencies. At a time when our citizens and institutions are being attacked by criminals and terrorists, this regulation is reckless public endangerment for those who serve the citizenry in their state capacity. This prohibition on those with a concealed handgun permit endangers innocent lives because all but two of the public massacres since 1950 have been committed by criminals and terrorists in “gun-free zones,” which is exactly what this regulation creates. Similarly bans in rest stops and parking lots send a very uninviting message to, and endanger the lives of, interstate travelers. Finally, the Governor has no authority to issue 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. Please extended the comment period for another 30 days... and remove this regulation.