Legal scholars have noted that this ban won’t hold up in court, due to lack of authority by the Governor.

Disarming good citizens (who are the only ones likely to obey the prohibition) does not make us safer. 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.

The most important aspect of this regulation is that the Governor has no authority for this regulation.  We all know if the General Assembly wanted the Governor to have such power, they would have granted it to him explicitly, as is required constitutionally.

You need to realize, 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. In addition to the above, this regulation prevents off-duty police officers from carrying – that’s very dangerous.

I am a regular interstate traveler and bans in VA rest stops send a very uninviting message to, and endanger the lives of, interstate travelers.

For all the reasons above, I want the comment period extended for another 30 days. This regulation should never be approved and the emergency regulation withdrawn immediately.