Action | Promulgation of new regulation banning concealed firearms in executive branch agency offices |
Stage | Emergency/NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 1/27/2016 |
This proposed regulation will have the opposite of the intended affect by playing into the hands of terrorists, violent criminals and the criminally insane. Virginia has 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.
Disarming good citizens (who are the only ones likely to obey the prohibition) does not make them safer. Banning me from carrying a weapon into VDoT's rest stops send a very uninviting message to, and endanger the lives of, interstate travelers. Case, I64 New Kent rest stop years ago. Now State Troopers have to patrol these areas.
Importantly, the Governor has no authority for this regulation. The Governor feels all guns need to be banned from citizens so he needs to set an example and remove his well armed security force that follows him every where he goes. Also, 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.
This regulations should not be approved and the emergency regulation withdrawn.
Also, please extended the comment period for another 30 days to allow time for all VA citizens to comment.