No guns in public buildings? You want to do this in Virginia?

RAY MCALLISTER
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST Nov 27, 2001

RAY MCALLISTER
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Ray’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Write him at the Times-Dispatch, Box 85333, Richmond VA 23293; call (804) 649-6333; fax (804) 775-8059; or e-mail [email protected]
Henrico County Manager Virgil Hazelett actually sought to keep weapons out of his county’s buildings.

Nice idea.

In theory.

Particularly after the lunacy of Sept. 11 – and the anthrax attacks later – you never know who will try what.

And Hazelett’s idea did have the advantage of having been born of security and safety.

But what was he thinking?

Keeping guns out of somewhere?

In Virginia?

In Virginia, you’re lucky if you can keep guns out of church.

Hazelett, who is also director of public safety, issued an order following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, barring the public from bringing weapons into most county buildings. The ban applied even to people with concealed weapon per mits.

“In this day and time, I think most people will understand the necessity,” Hazelett said.

Ah.

Remember those words.

He and county attorney Joseph Rapisarda knew there might be legal challenges.

After all, state law provides for concealed weapons permits. State law is supposed to supersede local law.

And there is that Second Amendment thing, remember.

So what was this?

They had a plan. People with valid concealed weapons permits would be charged with trespassing if they insisted on taking their guns inside, rather than with a weapons violations.

There already is a ban on weapons in state courts, by the way.

Hazelett more or less extended that to county buildings. Other localities have tried similar approaches, though with mixed results.

“The county manager is charged by law with safeguarding county property. It’s his duty to make it safe,” county attorney Rapisarda explained. “But like any law, it could be challenged.”

He probably meant in the courts.

Courts?

It never came close to getting to the courts.

The ban began Oct. 30. Its lifetime can be measured in days.

Gun owners and groups quickly opposed it. So, too, did Henrico County officials and the sheriff, who let everyone know they were “very much in favor of gun rights.”

Unlike Hazelett, they are elected.

Yes, but guns in a public building?

Guns in a Board of Supervisors meeting?

Why not serve whiskey, too?

Hazelett’s ban drew so much fire it was clear he would have to modify it, probably by exempting those with valid permits.

After consideration, though, he chucked it all.

So for those who need to bring a gun onto public property, it’s OK to do so again.

Only one copy of the latest “Harry Potter” book at the local library?

Make sure you’re the one who gets it.

Not getting a close enough view at the Three Lakes Park aquarium?

Just pat that bulge in your jacket.

No tee times available in the Belmont Golf Course pro shop?

They don’t call it a starter’s gun for nothing, you know.

Kidding aside, the result was a reminder of the power of the idea of gun ownership in Virginia.

Hazelett officially rescinded his ban with a memo that made its way to county offices last week.

“This regulation was established because I believe that the events on and after Sept. 11 warranted greater security within our county facilities,” the memo read.

Maybe they do. Of course, maybe banning guns was not the way. You can make a good case that more security and training would help.

Regardless, next time, it might be better to start with something easier.

Like parting the James River.

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