Fairfax County board bans guns in government buildings

The Fairfax County Government Center [Keith Pham]

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 9-1 on Sept. 15 to ban firearms and ammunition in county-owned buildings, parks, RECenters, and community centers. The lone vote in opposition was cast by Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield). 

Approval of this measure follows the passage of legislation by the Virginia General Assembly this spring that allows local governments to ban the possession of dangerous weapons in property they own or lease.  

The Fairfax County ordinance contains several exemptions, such as the use of firearms by law enforcement and the county’s deer management program.