HB 2295

Abstract

Carrying a firearm within Capitol Square and the surrounding area, into building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person to carry any firearm within (i) the Capitol of Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area, as described in the bill; (iii) any building, parking lot, or parking structure owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; (iv) any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth where employees of the Commonwealth perform their official duties; or (v) any building where the General Assembly meets or conducts its business. The bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement officers, court officers, authorized security personnel, and active military personnel while in the conduct of such person's official duties; any retired law-enforcement officer who is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth; and any state employee of a state or juvenile correctional facility who is authorized to carry a firearm while in the conduct of such employee's official duties. The bill provides that an individual who lawfully possesses a firearm may keep such firearm in his locked vehicle in a parking lot or parking structure described in clause (iii) so long as the firearm is (a) secured, (b) not visible, and (c) in a container or compartment inside of the vehicle. The bill requires that notice of the provisions prohibiting the carrying of such firearms be posted at each of the public entrances to Capitol Square and such buildings, parking lots, and parking structures. The bill also provides that any firearm carried in violation of these provisions is subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeiture to the Commonwealth.

Carrying a firearm or stun weapon within CapitolSquare and the surrounding area, into building owned or leased by the Commonwealth, etc.; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanorfor a person to carry any firearm or stun weapon within (i) the Capitolof Virginia; (ii) Capitol Square and the surrounding area; (iii)any building, parking lot, or parking structure owned or leased bythe Commonwealth or any agency thereof; (iv) any building owned orleased by the Commonwealth where employees of the Commonwealth performtheir official duties; or (v) any building where the General Assemblymeets or conducts its business. The bill provides exceptions for law-enforcement officers, court officers, authorized security personnel, and activemilitary personnel while in the conduct of such person's officialduties. The bill requires that notice of the provisions prohibitingthe carrying of such weapons be posted at each of the public entrancesto Capitol Square and such buildings, parking lots, and parking structures. The bill also provides that any firearm or stun weapon carriedin violation of these provisions is subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeiture to the Commonwealth.