Action | Promulgation of new regulation banning concealed firearms in executive branch agency offices |
Stage | Emergency/NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 1/27/2016 |
While I am not a resident of Virginia, I frequently drive through the state when I travel from my home in Pennsylvania to visit family in North Carolina. I typically make this drive alone and will occasionally have to stop at rest stops located along the highway. I am also a five foot tall female with little hope of escaping any physical attack without the use of a firearm. Therefore, I always utilize my CCW permit and carry a pistol when I travel. This excecutive order puts me at significant risk, especially if I am forced to travel at an odd hour when there are few, if any, other people around a rest stop. Unprovoked crimminal attacks at rest stops are not unprecedented (The recent attack and paralysis of Greg McKee in NC comes to mind) and because I am a female, I am at a much higher risk of sexual assault on top of the risk of robbery that is faced by all travelers. If this order is made permanent, I will lose my ability to stop at Virginia rest stops and not fear for my safety. In addition to this, I will be forced to leave my gun in my vehicle, which means it will then be available for a dangerous crimminal to steal while I use the rest stop facilites. This regulation creates an unsafe environment for law-abiding travelers like me, and is a misguided attempt from y'alls governor to circumvent the standard process to enact laws through the legislator. It should not become permanent.