It has been definitively proven that "gun free zones" are mis-guided and do not work; they simply put the public at increased risk. In some cases criminals even seek them out to ensure that they won't be opposed in their activities. In the study "Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence (2013)" conducted by the NRC under the direction of the CDC it was concluded that firearms are used defensively more than they are offensively and that those who resist a crime with a firearm are more likely to not be injured than those who both resist with any other means or those who comply with the criminal(s) acting against them. Furthermore a sign or policy stating "no guns allowed" does nothing to actively prevent crime. For someone willing to use a gun to a commit a crime against another person the notion that "it not being allowed" will prevent the crime is absurd. Meanwhile CHP holders consitently demonstrate themselves to be amongh the most law abiding citizens out there. In states with published figures, the number of permit holders who commit crimes involving firearms is as low as 0.0056%. There is simply no way to legitimately argue that preventing the most law abiding citizens from using the best means of resisting a crime against people who will commit them regardless of this policy will do anything to enhance the safety of Virginia or Virginians. State law already clearly states what locations are off-limits to guns, many of which include screening measures such as metal detectors to ensure that criminals do not ignore the rules. To sumarily force these restrictions on unsecure locations is mis-guided, misguided and goes against both the intent and the wording of state law. Please do not put the public at risk by pushing a personal agenda.

Also, please extend the comment period to allow more people to discuss the common sense regarding this abhorrent regulation.