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. 

Through no fault of their own, police are usually minutes away when they are needed in seconds, as is the case in mass shootings.  A person with a concealed carry permit can provide an initial response to at least slow criminal/terrorist shooters down while police arrive. Why allow criminals/terrorists a free pass to make a shooting gallery targets out of citizens in State buildings?  Here’s the chance to implement a “common sense gun law” we hear so much about these days; by simply allowing Virginia concealed carry permit holders the chance to be a first responder if lives are endangered in State buildings. By the way, it has been conclusively shown that disarming good citizens (who are the only ones likely to obey the prohibition) does not make anyone safer.

As for me personally, I travel Interstates 95 and 81 quite frequently and I do stop at Virginia rest stops along the way.  A ban on rest stops makes me unable to defend my family or myself as is my Constitutional right to self- protection, and additionally, sends a very uninviting message to, and endangers the lives of innocent interstate travelers passing through Virginia.

Further, If parking lots are included in the ban, then citizens will be disarmed to and from their residences and everywhere in between.

The Governor has no authority for this regulation.  If the General Assembly wanted the Governor to have such power, he would have had it granted to him explicitly, as is required constitutionally.

This proposed regulation is a solution looking for a problem.  It endangers state employees and all innocent law abiding citizens, 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  This regulations should not be approved and the emergency regulation withdrawn.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.

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