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 not had any 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 unjustified. It would needlessly and recklessly endanger innocent lives.

Disarming good citizens—who are the only persons likely to obey the prohibition—does not make them safer.

Importantly, the governor has no authority for this regulation. If the General Assembly wanted the governor to have such power, then it would have explicitly granted that power to him—in accordance with the Commonwealth’s constitution.

This proposed regulation is a solution to non-existent problem. It endangers state employees, law abiding citizens, and the innocent by making state buildings a safe and target rich environment zone for terrorists, criminals, and the criminally insane to conduct their evil and savage actions. All but two of the public massacres since 1950 were committed by criminals and terrorists in gun-free zones, which is exactly what this regulation creates. 

Furthermore, bans in interstate rest stops endanger the lives of interstate travelers. As we saw more than ten years ago during the DC sniper case, interstate travelers must be able to defend themselves as much as anyone else, anywhere else. This is even more relevant considering recent reports that the Islamists terrorists in San Bernardino, California had planned at one time to use pipe-bombs in a crowded mall and then follow that with a killing spree on a California freeway.

In short, gun-free zones attract killers. This regulation should not be approved. It should be withdrawn.

Please extend the comment period for another 30 days.

Sincerely,

Jason M. Hancock

Arlington, Virginia