It's well known that the average criminal prefers a weak target.  For example, older or young women are often favorite targets of would be attackers, rapists, etc.  As a women in my 60s of average strength for my age, I would not be able to fight off an attacker if I were attacked.  Therefore, in order to protect myself, I need to carry a weapon to give myself a better chance of protecting myself if I were ever attacked.  The idea that Gov. Mc Auliffe wants to take away my right to protect myself in state owned facilities makes no sense, assuming he actually wishes to promote the safety of the citizens of Virginia.  But perhaps that is not his primary goal.  Doesn't he realize that guns can save lives when they are used for self defense by normal citizens like me, and often prevent crimes from taking place?  Would you want to make it more difficult for your wife or mother or sister to protect themselves if they were ever attacked?  Do you think that 14 lives would have been taken in San Bernadino if a couple of those innocent people at that Christmas party had  been carrying weapons?  I'm sure the death count would have been less if someone were able to shoot back at those two evil savages.   I feel so sorry for people who live in alleged "gun free zone" states.  Clearly the only people who are protected by such policies are the criminals.  Thus, this regulation is  harmful to the citizens of Virgina and should be removed.

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.

Disarming good citizens (who are the only ones 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, 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.

Donna Hurlock, MD
Oakton, VA