This proposed regulation will have the opposite of the intended effect 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 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.  Strangely, this regulation even extends to off-duty law-enforcement officers, thus rendering the state offices even less secure.

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 by Virginia's Constitution.

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 fact, all but two of the public massacres since 1950 have been committed by criminals and terrorists in “gun-free zones,” which is exactly what this regulation creates.

This regulation should not be approved and the emergency regulation should be withdrawn.

Please extended the comment period for an additional 30 days.