Virginia Governor Bans Open Carry at State Government Buildings

[Midwest]

Virginia Governor Bans Open Carry at State Government Buildings

The Governor established a joint task force to prosecute gun crimes and enforce existing ones. He also made an executive order banning open carry at State Government Buildings. Of course Gabby Giffords approved of this nonsense and she used the "common sense" and "gun safety" propaganda again.



Gov. McAuliffe announces executive action to prosecute gun crimes, enforce current laws

http://wsls.com/2015/10/15/gov-mcau...to-prosecute-gun-crimes-enforce-current-laws/


"Banning Firearms in State Government Buildings

We must take every precaution to protect our citizens and state employees from gun violence. We cannot wait until a tragedy occurs to decide to address it. Prevention requires us to address areas of concern before they are realized. Accordingly, I hereby declare that it is the policy of the Commonwealth that open carry of firearms shall be prohibited in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, unless held by law enforcement, authorized security, or military personnel authorized to carry firearms in accordance with their duties. Within 30 days of the date of this Executive Order, the Director of the Department of General Services (DGS) shall issue guidance prohibiting carrying weapons openly in offices occupied by executive branch agencies.."
.

 

[Red Wind]

Gov. McAuliffe , the Clinton's favorite toy of the '90's. As anti gun as you can get. Yet Virginians sent this doofus to Richmond.

What does that say about the Old Dominion? Trouble, lots of trouble, right here in River City.

His dictum will of course do absolutely nothing to reduce violence of any sort.

 

[The Alaskan]

Sooooo...true story.

Terry McAulliffe is, of course, former Chairman of the DNC, resigned/dismissed/whatever after G.W. Bush's reelection in 2004. What you might not know is that his brother, Joseph, was, at the time a professor of history at the college I was attending, and I was in his Western Civ I class in the Fall semester of 2004.

What a ride. I still remember the class the day after the election.

(Of course, I'm not as conservative as all of you, but I can imagine how you all would have perceived it.)

Anyway, that's my 15 minutes of fame of me knowing someone who knows someone who is famous.

 

[Twiki357]

According to the article, the ban is for all firearms in government buildings, not just “open” carry.

 

[HOOfan_1]

They call for common sense and show a complete lack of common sense.

In the wake of a shooting at a gun free zone, McAuliffe tries to create more gun free zones. Or at least the perception of gun free zones since he is only banning open carry.

This nonsense isn't going to stop people who want to do harm from doing harm, any more than France's laws stopped terrorists from bringing fully automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades into their country.

Of course he did this because the popularly elected people who are actually supposed to make the laws won't go along with him and Obama. I hope the GA passes a law overturning this action, and when he refuses to sign, I hope they overrule him.

 

[W.E.G.]

I'm sure he's going to sponsor legislation that will PROVIDE FUNDING for additional security to make sure no BAD GUYS actually bring guns into the buildings.

All this does is disarm the GOOD GUYS.

Genius.

 

[627PCFan]

"Yet Virginians sent this doofus to Richmond."

Easy there...Northern VA is the population center for the state despite Richmond and rural areas. Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun are liberal havens in an otherwise red state, however the situation is much the same as Chicago Illinois. They control the vote.

 

[blahpony]

"Yet Virginians sent this doofus to Richmond."

Easy there...Northern VA is the population center for the state despite Richmond and rural areas. Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun are liberal havens in an otherwise red state, however the situation is much the same as Chicago Illinois. They control the vote.

Exactly. Not everyone in NoVA is liberal.

 

[J Hill]

I live here in Virginia and work in Northern Virginia. You were never allowed to carry guns in any government building county or state. Signs clearly state that fact. You aren't allowed to carry anywhere a sign says no go. This is a nonstarter the task force is tasked with doing what they have been doing all along and it's made up of the people who have always had the job. Nothing new just political smoke to show he's doing something.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I live here in Virginia and work in Northern Virginia. You were never allowed to carry guns in any government building county or state. Signs clearly state that fact. You aren't allowed to carry anywhere a sign says no go. This is a nonstarter the task force is tasked with doing what they have been doing all along and it's made up of the people who have always had the job. Nothing new just political smoke to show he's doing something.

Not true. There are public State run facilities where people were allowed to open carry. Signs may say "no illegal weapons"

 

[blahpony]

I live here in Virginia and work in Northern Virginia. You were never allowed to carry guns in any government building county or state. Signs clearly state that fact. You aren't allowed to carry anywhere a sign says no go. This is a nonstarter the task force is tasked with doing what they have been doing all along and it's made up of the people who have always had the job. Nothing new just political smoke to show he's doing something.

Please cite your sources for this.

People have been allowed to carry open or concealed in many government buildings. People have carried in the DMV, the ABC stores, General Assembly meetings, while talking to their elected officials in their offices, voter registration offices, etc. Courthouses and jails are the big no go places in VA, besides the federal restrictions.

This new EO will make all of these places and many more gun-free zones.

 

[Midwest]

There are concerns that other governors (or future governors - the Nov elections coming up)...could also implement executive orders restricting firearms. Here in Kentucky, Jack Conway (D) is running against Matt Bevin (R).

If Conway gets in here in KY as governor, there are concerns that he too might enact similar executive orders. (Even just to get his name in print). So even though, the Virginia Governor has no direct bearing here in Kentucky. His executive order might inspire others, including our future governor. I think this is a valid concern, not just in Virginia or Kentucky. But other states as well that have anti 2A or indifferent 2A candidates on the ballot.

I did not mean to get political and that was not my intention. Suffice to say, we need to to get out there and vote this November. Someone said on another forum that if just 20% of all gun owners vote in Kentucky, Conway will lose in KY.

As the previous comment mentioned that it was already against the law in Virginia "to carry guns in any government building county or state".

Most people not living in Virginia reading the article would not be aware of that. I wasn't aware of it.

The article leads the reader into believing that the Governor was is able to override the existing gun laws of Virginia by the stroke of a pen. This could inspire anti-gun groups like Moms, Gabby and Bloomberg to persuade other anti-2A governors to enact similar executive orders.
.

 

[tyeo098]

Loudoun is a pretty conservative county.
Blame Fairfax and Arlington, Prince William... the closer you get to the cesspool the more it stinks!

State buildings include the DMV, which would be banned from carry under Terry's new nonsense.
Prevously, carry of any sort is fine the DMV (I OC'd there when I registered my Firebird)

 

[chipcom]

Soooo...exactly how many times has someone been shot in Virginia state government buildings? Maybe they should also ban hostile alien life forms...and of course, zombies.

 

[627PCFan]

"Soooo...exactly how many times has someone been shot in Virginia state government buildings?"

None but he just announced another source of gun free zones via the media for any would be mass murderer.

Good job.

 

[Seanski]

Virginia voting patterns are actually a bit more interesting than the "NoVa" model referenced by some. I've been watching Virginia election demographics for some years now, and here's how it appears to me:
The I-95 corridor includes the highest population densities in the state. These densities correspond to Democratic voting patterns. Northern Virginia does indeed largely go Democratic. Follow I-95 southward. Fredericksburg votes Dem, so does Richmond. Southeast Virginia goes Dem. Interestingly, as you head westward in the state, you find other Democratic pockets, again in the relatively high-density population centers. Charlottesville (UVa), Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). I'm not sure about Harrisonburg. In national elections, these Democratic population clusters overwhelm the lower density, but much larger (in land area) conservative environs. Ah, but these densely populated Democratic voting districts find their influence diluted in STATE elections. Republicans control the House of Delegates and own a razor-thin majority in the State Senate. I see this pattern repeat itself in many other states after the results of national elections are compiled. Population centers generally go Dem, the rest of the state goes Republican.
I am concerned that as population centers expand outward, so will their political influence. Can conservatives increase their numbers to keep pace?
What the heck, my wife wants us to retire to Texas anyway!

 

[Praxidike]

There are concerns that other governors (or future governors - the Nov elections coming up)...could also implement executive orders restricting firearms. Here in Kentucky, Jack Conway (D) is running against Matt Bevin (R).

If Conway gets in here in KY as governor, there are concerns that he too might enact similar executive orders. (Even just to get his name in print). So even though, the Virginia Governor has no direct bearing here in Kentucky. His executive order might inspire others, including our future governor. I think this is a valid concern, not just in Virginia or Kentucky. But other states as well that have anti 2A or indifferent 2A candidates on the ballot.

I did not mean to get political and that was not my intention. Suffice to say, we need to to get out there and vote this November. Someone said on another forum that if just 20% of all gun owners vote in Kentucky, Conway will lose in KY.

As the previous comment mentioned that it was already against the law in Virginia "to carry guns in any government building county or state".

Most people not living in Virginia reading the article would not be aware of that. I wasn't aware of it.

The article leads the reader into believing that the Governor was is able to override the existing gun laws of Virginia by the stroke of a pen. This could inspire anti-gun groups like Moms, Gabby and Bloomberg to persuade other anti-2A governors to enact similar executive orders.
.

The previous comment was incorrect. It is or was legal to carry in some government buildings.

 

[Red Wind]

Virginia voting patterns are actually a bit more interesting than the "NoVa" model referenced by some. I've been watching Virginia election demographics for some years now, and here's how it appears to me:
The I-95 corridor includes the highest population densities in the state. These densities correspond to Democratic voting patterns. Northern Virginia does indeed largely go Democratic. Follow I-95 southward. Fredericksburg votes Dem, so does Richmond. Southeast Virginia goes Dem. Interestingly, as you head westward in the state, you find other Democratic pockets, again in the relatively high-density population centers. Charlottesville (UVa), Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). I'm not sure about Harrisonburg. In national elections, these Democratic population clusters overwhelm the lower density, but much larger (in land area) conservative environs. Ah, but these densely populated Democratic voting districts find their influence diluted in STATE elections. Republicans control the House of Delegates and own a razor-thin majority in the State Senate. I see this pattern repeat itself in many other states after the results of national elections are compiled. Population centers generally go Dem, the rest of the state goes Republican.
I am concerned that as population centers expand outward, so will their political influence. Can conservatives increase their numbers to keep pace?
What the heck, my wife wants us to retire to Texas anyway!

Thank you for the informative post. As we can see, it's not just NoVa who voted for Gov McAuliffe. The blame for this truly awful selection is spread all over the state. I have conservative relatives in Gainesville, Fairfax and Pulaski and they are all quite appalled at the left turn Virginia has made in the last 25 or 30 years.

As a frequent visitor who loves the state, I'm saddened. There seems to be no way to stop the continuing liberal influx. If not for the wonderful VCDL the guns laws would be in purgatory today. I maintain membership and give support.

 

[blahpony]

I love the VCDL and the work they do. I keep my membership nice and current.

They also have extra large size coffee mugs.

 

[tomrkba]

Under what statute does the Governor have the authority to make this order?

 

[HOOfan_1]

Just a heads up, but while this Executive Order bans open carry, the Department of General Services which owns many state buildings is trying to get concealed carry banned in state buildings as well.

http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewStage.cfm?stageid=7379

 

[blahpony]

I responded to the VCDL action item last night.

 

[steelerdude99]

Gov. McAuliffe , the Clinton's favorite toy of the '90's. As anti gun as you can get. Yet Virginians sent this doofus to Richmond.

What does that say about the Old Dominion? Trouble, lots of trouble, right here in River City. ...

No exactly, it was fallout of Cuccinelli vs. Bolling dispute on who should be the Republican Candidate for governor. Cuccinelli as AG "cut in line" in the traditional AG, Lt. GOV, and then GOV "career path". It upset many the party who did not vote for him. It was narrow victory for McAuliffe who won in the very BLUE Fairfax county. So,disgruntled voters who did not show and/or did or vote for Cuccinelli allowed the alternate and poor gun-rights candidate to be elected. What very well could happen in the NOV of 2016 as well in the POTUS race.

Chuck

 

[Red Wind]

Alright, Steelerdude, a very cogent explanation. But no matter the way it came about, it's still the extremely anti-gun McAuliffe sitting in the Governor's chair in Richmond. :banghead:

 

[HOOfan_1]

Alright, Steelerdude, a very cogent explanation. But no matter the way it came about, it's still the extremely anti-gun McAuliffe sitting in the Governor's chair in Richmond. :banghead:

Voted for extremely anti-gun Obama twice and a couple of Senators in Kaine and Warner who back everything Obama does.

Yet, both of the bodies of the State Legislature are controlled by Republicans. If it weren't for McAullife having veto power, I wouldn't be surprised if his executive action were shot down this legislative session. As it is, I doubt there are enough protectors of the Second Amendment in the state legislature to overturn his vetoes, so until we get another 2A friendly Governor in the mansion, don't expect any positive gun laws to pass, don't expect any radically anti-gun laws to pass, but expect McAuliffe to degrade Article I Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution as much as he can with Executive Orders. Our only hope against that is the courts.