Guns Allowed On School Property In Va

[runswithscissors]

CAUTION: These bills do not become law until July 1st. Until then,
the current law applies.

Here is a detailed description of these bills. Also, there are three
action items at the end of the alert. I am NOT a lawyer - these are
my lay understanding of what these bills do:

--

HB 2535, carried for VCDL by Delegate Riley E. Ingram, who represents
the Hopewell area: This bill allows a person with a concealed
handgun permit to have a concealed, loaded, handgun in the vehicle in
a school parking lot, traffic circle, etc. It also clarifies that
firearms cannot be banned from property where a school function is
being held UNLESS the property is being used EXCLUSIVELY for that
school function.

Details: There are two key concepts in this bill. First, the
handgun can be loaded but it MUST be CONCEALED and remain concealed
in the vehicle while on school property and you must have a CHP. If
you are going to get out of the vehicle, the gun MUST be left in the
car CONCEALED. Once you are on school property you cannot put the
gun in the trunk, because as soon as you step out of the car with the
gun you would be in violation of the law (a FELONY). If you plan on
getting out of the car, you might consider concealing the handgun
before you arrive at the school by putting the handgun in the glove
box, console, under the seat, etc. Remember these two things and you
should be OK: the handgun is CONCEALED at all times and the handgun
NEVER leaves the vehicle with you.

Second, if you are at a public location and a school function arrives
(like a school bus stopping at McDonald's), you can have a firearm in
your possession as long as the public location is not being used
EXCLUSIVELY for a school function. Under current law you are in
violation of the law as soon as those kids and their teacher walk
into your location. This new change applies to all gun owners, with
or without a CHP.

GO VA

 

[Aguila Blanca]

The team bus stopping at Mickey D's makes the restaurant a "school function" in VA?

Sick

 

[runswithscissors]

You are correct Hawk

If I am sitting in my favorite fast food joint, and the band comes in for lunch before the big game, I am currently a criminal. Yea, I know kinda messed up huh?
It might be different if I was in a place that serves liquor. In VA you must currently open carry in any place that has a license to allow patrons to consume beer on site(Hooters, Friday's etc..). In this situation, I would probably call my local LEO and explain to him the situation. He would probably escort me out of the building to properly secure my gun and then allow me to re-enter without any problems.

What is up with that law? I now sit so that I can face the entrance to watch for a school bus etc..but sooon will not have too

 

[c_yeager]

Wow, that is a rought situation. In WA there is simply a provision stating that you cant carry on school property, and there is an exception for parents picking up or dropping off their kids. That seems like an easier way of doing it. The only addition i would like to see is one made for employees of the school (and there might be one, i can't check from this computer).

 

[GunGeek]

In this situation, I would probably call my local LEO and explain to him the situation. He would probably escort me out of the building to properly secure my gun and then allow me to re-enter without any problems.

Wow, you sure trust your LEOs. Not that I think all LEOs are bad/stupid/misinformed but not going to risk getting the rookie who thinks all civilians with guns are bad guys, I would just walk out to my car and put it away myself if I wasen't going to be done in the next minute anyways...... On second thought maybe I would want the cops to guard my apple pies while I was away though...


Luckly I don't have this problem in Florida...