HB128: Weapons; possession prohibited in state legislative buildings, penalty.

HOUSE BILL NO. 128

Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled December 17, 2015
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-283.2, relating to possession of weapons in legislative buildings; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:


Patron-- Hope

Committee Referral Pending

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-283.2 as follows:

§ 18.2-283.2. Possession of weapons in legislative buildings; penalty.

A. No person shall possess any weapon set forth in subsection A of § 18.2-308 while in the Capitol of Virginia or in any other building owned by the Commonwealth and used predominantly for the conduct of the business of the General Assembly. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. Any person who enters the Capitol of Virginia or any other building owned by the Commonwealth and used predominantly for the conduct of the business of the General Assembly shall be required to go through screening conducted by the Capitol Police or an agent of the Capitol Police. The method of screening shall be determined by the Capitol Police.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $0 for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.