I find it extremely appalling, that our Government would even consider, trampling our Second Amendment Rights! What part of the the Clause, Shall not be infringed upon do you not understand? When the Second Amendment Rally was held in Richmond 2 Years Ago, there was at least Half of the Attendees Carrying Firearms! The only arrest, was someone sporting a Mask! Now it is a Violation if you don’t wear a Mask! If you Outlaw & Ban Legal Firearms, then only the Criminal Element shall be armed! It seems as though our Government is in the Process of removing our Freedoms! I am strongly opposed to this Bill! Godspeed!

Thank you Chairman Hope and Members of the Committee. The League of Women Voters strongly supports SB 1381 and urges you to report out this bill. Virginia voters should be able to enter state buildings and areas, and to interact with our government officials, without being concerned about violence. Even concealed weapons make it more likely that heated confrontations will turn deadly. This bill will ensure that all qualified Virginians can participate in representative democracy freely and without fear of intimidation. The League strongly supports this bill, and we urge you to vote for it. Thank you.

I am writing to urge you to support SB1381 that would to ban firearms in state buildings. As the local lead of Peninsula Area Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety in America, I have been to the Capitol building several times during General Assembly sessions and have experienced first hand the intimidation of standing beside heavily armed people who are obviously trying to do just that. I was in a committee hearing when the room had to be cleared suddenly because these very same people would not adhere to the rules. We had to walk outside with these very angry, heavily armed individuals. This is not what our forefathers intended, I am sure. Thank you.

The Virginia Citizens Defense League STRONGLY OPPOSES SB1381. SB1381 takes away the right to self-defense, not only in Capitol Square, but also in rest areas and other state government buildings. These buildings are owned by the People and their civil rights should be protected there.

Please vote yes on SB1381, to prohibit firearms in state buildings and at Capitol Square. I have visited Richmond several times to speak to lawmakers about legislative issues, and each time, have experienced intimidation and fear, from individuals openly carrying weapons in the buildings there. This bill would make me feel safer in exercising my own First Amendment rights in Richmond, while not hampering the ability of other individuals to do the same.

I would like to express my support for this bill.

By banning guns and other defensive weapons in Capitol Square you are putting your staff and constituents in jeopardy. Unless you intend to put metal detectors and guards at all entrances of the square, there is no guarantee that a criminal will not be armed. In fact, it has been shown that criminals look for places where the law abiding are forced to be defenseless. Violent criminals seek out these places so that they can minimize the risk to themselves. It is not the average person that is the problem here. If we could magically make a law and prevent crimes we would not have murder, rape, robbery or any number of things that have been illegal for centuries. But, sadly, there is evil in the world. And the only way to stop evil is to meet it with an equal and opposite resistance. I implore you to think of your staff, who must traverse the square on a regular basis. Think of your constituents, who may use the area before or after they come to your office. Think of your oath of office, to uphold the Constitutions of the US and Virginia. If you consider these things fairly you will have no choice but to vote against SB1381, which bans all means of self defense from Capitol Square. Respectfully, Patricia Y Webb

I strongly oppose SB1381 and urge this bill be defeated. Virginia has always been a “open carry” state and supporter of individuals right to safely possess firearms. This bill is a blaring affront to those rights and another step by this administration and current Democratic majority to deny and remove a persons right to even possess a firearm or simple knife and have the STATE CONFISCATE & DESTROY a person firearm WITH NO REDRESS!!! Example: Section C. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any weapon or item possessed or transported in violation of this section shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28. Va. Citizens proved in January 2020 that its gun owners can safely carry arms and still be peaceful-remember the TENS of THOUSANDS who showed up to protest last years bills! Efforts like this that attack a law abiding citizens rights are what’s bringing this country to a boil . But Good lord willing we change this atVa’s Next election!!!!!!!

Oppose SB1381 Its' a crying shame when a majority of our elected officials in Richmond become documented hypocrites and trample all over the 2nd Amendment and our Virginia Constitution....Do as I say, not as I do. Thomas Jefferson clearly wanted me to have protection for the long journey to and while in Richmond: “The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” I listened to some of our Legislators bring up this very issue....it fell on def ears. The Federalist Papers have much more from other Founding Fathers.....to bad most politicians are clueless....pun intended!

As a citizen of the United States and a resident of Virginia, it is my constitutional right to carry a firearm. Yet you want to create 'gun free zones', which only encourage criminal behavior - and law abiding gun owners will comply to the detriment of others who become victims of criminals. The Virginia Legislature is burying an open carry bill that would benefit everyone in Virginia. Your actions against law abiding gun ownership is appalling. You must OPPOSE this bill.