Fairfax County Board to Consider Proposal to Ban Firearms in County Areas

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a weapons ban in county buildings, parks, recreation and community centers next week.

The proposal would ban the possession, carrying and transportation of firearms and ammunition in county areas, as well as permitted events and areas next to permitted events.

The plan follows the Virginia General Assembly’s passage of a bill that allows local regulation of firearms in certain areas. Gov. Ralph Northam approved the enabling legislation on April 22.

Here’s more on what the prohibition entails:

The proposed amendments exercise this new enabling authority in its entirety. Firearms, ammunition, components or combination thereof would be prohibited in buildings, parks, recreation and community centers owned or used by the County or authorities and entities created or controlled by the County such as the Fairfax County Park Authority. The prohibition would also be in effect at permitted events, events that would otherwise require a permit, and areas adjacent to those events, provided those events take place on a public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Appropriate signage must be posted in order to enforce the prohibition.
For now, it is unclear if the plan would ramp up security at county facilities, including security guards and metal detectors.

County staff is currently determining costs associated with signage requirements.

The board is expected to meet at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to vote on the issue.

Photo via Jeremy Alford/Unsplash