SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2001 SESSION

012282928
HOUSE BILL NO. 1712
Offered January 10, 2001
Prefiled December 18, 2000
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-287.5, relating to possessing dangerous weapons in county-owned buildings; penalty.
----------

Patrons-- Scott, Amundson, Hull, Plum and Rust; Senators: Byrne, Howell and Puller
----------
Referred to Committee on Militia and Police
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-287.5 as follows:

§ 18.2-287.5. Possessing dangerous weapons in county-owned buildings; penalty.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15.2-915, the governing body of any county that has adopted the urban county executive form of government may, by ordinance, make it unlawful for any person to possess a dangerous weapon while in any county-owned building. Any such ordinance shall include appropriate exceptions for educational, instructional, theatrical and historical events, and shall not apply to the following individuals: (i) any law-enforcement officer, as defined by § 9-169; (ii) any game warden, animal warden, or deputy animal warden; (iii) any special police officer; or (iv) any magistrate, court officer or judge. Notice of the ordinance shall be posted at each public entrance of every county-owned building.

A violation of the ordinance shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor, and upon conviction, any weapon seized shall be disposed of in accordance with § 18.2-310.

For the purposes of this section, the term "dangerous weapon" means (i) any gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) any frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile or ammunition designed for use with any gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; or (iii) any explosive, taser, stun weapon, knife or other weapon specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308.