Ordinance Calls on State Legislature to Allow Cities to Prohibit the Carrying of any Firearm Within any City-Owned Building, Park or Recreation or Community Facility
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Richmond City Council for passing a gun violence prevention ordinance calling on the state legislature to modify the state’s preemption law to expressly allow cities to prohibit guns in parks and other municipal buildings and facilities.
“We’re thrilled to see our local elected officials pass this ordinance today,” said Courtney Champion, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Keeping guns out of parks and municipal buildings would make Richmond a safer place, and we urge our state legislators to take action on Virginia’s preemption law so this ordinance can go into effect.”
Because Virginia’s preemption law prohibits cities and towns from passing local laws governing the possession or carrying of firearms, the ordinance would only take effect if and when the General Assembly of Virginia changes that law and expressly gives the city the power to adopt local laws like this to keep Richmond safe.