VA: Weapons ban to be lifted! (Henrico County) (11/18/2001)

Josey1

Weapons ban to be lifted Henrico memo likely next week BY CHRIS DOVITIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Nov 17, 2001 Henrico County Manager Virgil Hazelett has decided to holster his ban on members of the public bringing weapons into county facilities.The ban, which became effective Oct. 30, came under intense scrutiny both by local Second Amendment activists and members of the Henrico Board of Supervisors. Both worried that the ban conflicted with the state and federal constitutions. Members of the board also expressed concern over the policy's enforceability at every public building operated by the county."I am going to rescind the policy," Hazelett said yesterday, noting that the ban will remain in effect until the formal memo notifying county employees of his decision has been sent.In that memo, likely to be circulated some time next week, Hazelett defended the motivations behind his initiating the ban."This regulation was established because I believed that the events on and after Sept. 11 warranted greater security within our county facilities," the memo reads.The memo also stipulates "the Henrico County Board of Supervisors was not involved in making the decision (to ban weapons)."Hazelett, who as county manager also serves as director of public safety, has the power to set certain policies deemed to be in the interest of public safety.While not involved in banning weapons, Hazelett said members of the board were very much involved in his decision to do away with the policy. Two supervisors publicly voiced their concerns about the ban and others expressed their concerns privately to Hazelett.Also concerned about the ban's implications was Henrico Sheriff Michael L. Wade, whose deputies would have been charged with enforcement of the ban at public meetings such as the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission. Wade said he voiced his concerns to Hazelett.Wade's deputies already are posted at all public meetings at the county's Parham Road government complex, and members of the public will continue to enter the board room through metal detectors.But there's a distinction between knowing who's carrying what at meetings and assuming the power to ban certain members of the public from those meetings if they refuse to yield their weapons, Wade said."When we're telling somebody that had a legal weapon that they can't go in, that's what I have a problem with," said Wade, who said he was "very much in favor of gun rights."Even with the removal of the policy, the public is still barred from bringing concealed weapons into the county's courts building.All county employees who are not law enforcement officials also still are forbidden from carrying weapons on county property. http://www.timesdispatch.com/vametro/MGBFP9DR4UC.html

---