Virginia CCW and Election Day

J

JayDubyaGee

New member
Is any one aware of any restrictions on carrying at a polling place in Virginia?

I've researched the Code of Virginia and the Korwin "Virginia Gun Owner's Guide", and nothing is mentioned with respect to a prohibition at polling places. My understanding of Virginia law is that if it is not proscribed, it is permitted.
 
Contact the VCDL or a local lawyer in regards to this.

However, since most polling places are held in Schools, Churches, Courthouses and many other already prohibited locations it would really depend on where your local polling location resides. (Mine is in a local church...something I am *not* particularly happy with since I am a firm believer in a secular government.)
 
Here's one, in many rural places votes are held in the township's volunteer fire department.

Who owns them or the property?
Would it be legal to carry there?
 
Good point about voting at schools. I don't happen to vote at a school but at a non profit enterprise that employees the handicapped. I don't think they count as a school even though they do training there.

Also, good question about the firehouse. I imagine different firehouses enjoy different statuses depending on how they are funded. Looking at the code, there seems to be nothing proscribing firehouses or police stations for that matter. Specifically, VA code only calls out courthouses and schools in the government realm. I live in the People's Republic of Arlington, who actually seem pretty mellow about CCW compared to its neighbors. I know Fairfax has reached a couple of times to extend CCW restrictions. There was a recent hub-bub in Falls Church when the council tried to extend restrictions to all government buildings. Read all about it and the great response from gun owners.

http://www.fcnp.com/430/firearms.htm
 
I was going to query Va Beach school (polling place) as to (with respect to the terror attack concerns) whether classes were scheduled. I found out from a neighbor in the school system that schools are out on election day.

There's the rub - if the law banning carry in schools was/is to protect the kids and staff and there are no kids or staff there, does that then tend to lessen the pressure on carry enforcement? By the word, probably not. I suppose it would still be much frowned upon.

That's a shame too, since we have a general threat now heightened for the election.

This whole school law needs a good, sensible, review - not knee-jerk reaction to a couple flaky kids with bent minds playing a game. If we are at war and we expect there will/could/may/might be casualties, they will probably be the "soft targets" - which will include schools (property, buses, events). It would be sensible to allow CHL holders to carry there.

I hope that VCDL will put this school subject on the agenda for the next General Assembly session.

-Andy
 
I hear you. It seems that the government bans things where it would make the most sense to permit them. I believe it was the school shooting in Pearl MS where the assailant was subdued by an armed teacher or student. And don't get me started on guns in the cockpit...
 
Won't LET you?

The only restrictions AFAIK are the normal state code items.

I - somehow - don't think I'd carry open in any polling place THIS year. :rolleyes:

Check with VCDL
 
I'm not voting anyways, but I think more voters should carry guns and immediatly shoot the cynical, scheming bastard who managed to get himself elected.
 
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in the state of florida, the possession restrictions for concealed weapons include "any polling place". It is a 3rd degree felony, punishable by 5 years.

In the little "info" handout they give you in our classes, it defines it as "any location, used for any voting or balloting of any governing body of the state, a county, public school district, municipality, or special district. "

a specific example not restricted was home-owners-associations, etc. of course, a nazi-HOA could add that to its bylaws...

there are no specific restrictions inside a firehouse, thou when used for a polling place, that is superceeded.
 
JWG,
I teach in York county. The kids are out on Election day but it is a teacher work day, so the buildings will still be in use. AFAIK that will be the same condition throughout the state.
Regards,
Apple
 
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