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.

 “Gun free zones” only stop law-abiding citizens.  Any person who is contemplating murder or a terrorist act is not going to obey any sign, law, or regulation.  When someone makes the decision to cause harm to other people, they are not going to let any law or regulation get in their way.  They made that decision when they decided to carry out a vicious attack.  Does anyone really think that a person who is prepared to carry out one of these heinous acts is going to stop because there is a sign stating “gun free zone”?

A very large majority of the violent crimes and mass shootings that have taken place in in this country are in areas that already have very strict gun laws and bans in place.

Disarming good citizens (who are the only ones who will obey the prohibition) does not make them safer.

This regulation would also prevent off-duty police officers form carrying firearms in these areas.

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.

This regulations should not be approved and the emergency regulation withdrawn.

Please extended the comment period for another 30 days.