This proposed regulation is nothing more than an opportunistic chance to create gun control. The manner in which this has proceeded in nefarious and unconstitutional. To even suggest that this will somehow prevent terrorism or even general crime is a flat out lie.

Virginia has had a total of zero shootings in state agencies. This regulation will stop zero criminals and zero terrorist. However, it will end up prohibiting law-abiding Virginians the ability to exercise their rights and protect themselves from real threats. Disarming good citizens, who are the only ones likely to obey the prohibition, does not make anyone safer.

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.

Bans in state agencies which, I assume, includes rest stops will send an uninviting message to travelers and will only embolden those criminals that have no regard for law and order.

Research done by the Crime Prevention Research Center shows that since 2009 92% of the mass shootings have occurred in gun free zones. Additionally, there are instances where the deranged seem to seek out so called gun free zones and if nothing else seem further enabled in there violence by these zones.

The Governor and anyone else who thinks that a criminal or terrorist that has decided to kill will suddenly be stopped by a “gun free zone” is playing the fool. The sick, deranged, and evil that exists in the dark corners of society in not stopped by signs or gun control legislation.

Not everyone in this world gets to be accompanied by armed guards and a police escort. Don’t abolish the rights of citizens to protect themselves.

This regulation should not be approved and the emergency regulation immediately withdrawn. Please extend the comment period for another 30 days.

Kind Regards,