HB1079: Weapons; possession in Capitol Square and legislative buildings, penalties.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1079
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
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 the Capitol of Virginia, Capitol Square, and legislative buildings; penalties.
A. For the purposes of this section, "Capitol Square" means the grounds in the City of Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets.
B. No person shall possess a (i) firearm or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind; (ii) frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile, or ammunition designed for use with a dangerous weapon; or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives, stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, and those weapons specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308 while in (a) the Capitol of Virginia, (b) Capitol Square, (c) any other building owned or leased by the Commonwealth and used predominantly for the conduct of the business of the General Assembly, or (d) any other building where the General Assembly is meeting in session. Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, authorized security personnel, or active-duty military personnel in the performance of such person's lawful duties.
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 of the Code of Virginia, 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.