Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Youngkin vetoes bills on marijuana sales, firearms, and the minimum wage

Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has vetoed numerous bills that had been Democratic priorities, including measures to establish a retail marijuana market, to increase the minimum wage, and to address gun violence. In vetoing the marijuana bill, Youngkin cited concerns about children’s health and safety. Currently, Virginia allows adults to possess small amounts of marijuana, … Continued

Police arrest man after 7-hour barricade

Fairfax County Police arrested a man after he had abducted and assaulted a victim and barricaded himself inside his home for more than seven hours. The victim told officers at about 2:40 p.m. on March 10 that she had been assaulted by Silvio Meza Jr., 33, in the 6700 block of Chestnut Avenue near Annandale … Continued

House passes assault weapons ban

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill banning the purchase, sale, and transfer of assault firearms and certain ammunition-feeding devices. The legislation, HB 2, was introduced by Del. Dan Helmer (D-Clifton). Violation would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.   Among other legislation related to firearms, the House passed a bill (HB 22) that bans … Continued

Red Flag law saves lives

Since Virginia’s Red Flag law went into effect on July 1, 2020, the Fairfax County Police Department obtained 177 Emergency Substantial Risk Orders (ESROs), the FCPD reports. The Red Flag law allows community members and the police to request the removal of firearms from an individual who poses a serious and immediate threat to themselves … Continued

Gun incident near Annandale High School

There was an incident involving a gun near Annandale High School today. Principal Shawn DeRose sent an email to the AHS community stating that two students who were in Ossian Hall Park after school said they “interacted with two men, one of whom displayed a weapon.” According to a parent who heard about the incident, … Continued

FCPD will pick up unwanted firearms

With the surge in mass shootings this year, it’s a good time to remind the public about the Fairfax County Police Department’s efforts to encourage the safe disposal of unwanted firearms. There have been 39 mass shootings in the U.S. in the first three weeks of 2023, CNN reports. There were 647 mass shootings in … Continued

FCPS will notify parents about the importance of safe gun storage

Secure gun storage could help prevent school shootings, like the recent one at Oxford High School in Michigan. [Jake May/Flint Journal] Fairfax County Public Schools will notify parents and guardians about Virginia’s secure firearm safety law, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Dec. 16.  FCPS will also inform parents about why secure storage is essential and other … Continued