HB1096:

Law-enforcement officers; exemption from prohibition on carrying firearms, etc., in Capitol Square.

Bill Summary:

Law-enforcement officers; retired law-enforcement
officers; carrying a firearm or explosive material within Capitol
Square and the surrounding area. Exempts any law-enforcement
officer from the prohibition on carrying a firearm or explosive material
within the Capitol of Virginia and Capitol Square and the surrounding
area. The bill further allows any law-enforcement officer or qualified
retired law-enforcement officer to carry a firearm or explosive material
within any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency
thereof, or any office where employees of the Commonwealth or agency
thereof are regularly present to perform their official duties. Under
current law, a law-enforcement officer is exempted only while acting
in the conduct of his official duties, and a retired law-enforcement
officer is limited to carrying a firearm while visiting a gun range
owned or leased by the Commonwealth. The bill also clarifies that
"Capitol Square and the surrounding area" as defined in current law
does not include any public road or highway.