GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 2077, which eliminates the authority of governmental entities to prohibit firearms in all shelters used during states of emergency.

These shelters provide services including food, housing, health care, and emotional support to people seeking aid during a disaster. Typically in large-scale disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, the sheltering operations of organizations such as the American Red Cross (which has voiced its opposition to House Bill 2077) take place in schools, community centers, stadiums, and even churches, in which many huddle together in close quarters.

These shelters are a place where people take refuge from danger and where Virginians come together to lend a helping hand to others. The practical effect of injecting guns into the high-stress environment of an emergency shelter would endanger vulnerable families (including young children), not to mention the staff and volunteers whose job it is to provide assistance and keep order. Accommodating firearms through House Bill 2077 also would require the diversion of law enforcement personnel from vital emergency management operations. Moreover, to push gun politics into this atmosphere of community is insulting to the very spirit of charity that Virginians show time and time again in disasters.

As Governor, my highest responsibility is to ensure public safety. House Bill 2077 runs exactly counter to that goal.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.