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"To:
Agency Heads and Key Officials
Subject: Administrative Regulation Prohibiting the Possession of
Dangerous Weapons in County Buildings
Date: October 23, 2001
From: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. County Manager
In view of recent national developments concerning terrorism and other
threats, I have found it necessary to initiate an administrative regulation
prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons in County buildings by members
of the general public. A copy of that regulation is attached to this memorandum.
As you know, County employees already are subject to such a prohibition.
"HENRICO COUNTY RULES AND REGULATIONS SECTION 14
14. Weapons: The possession of any weapon(s) by an employee is prohibited
at any County worksite including, but not limited to, County buildings or
premises, County vehicles, any building used by the County, or any non-County
property during any County-sponsured event, activity, or function. This,
may not apply to sworn law enforcement, correctional personnel, or to certain
security personnel." |
Effective October 30, 2001, the County will not permit any dangerous
weapons (as defined in the regulation and in the State Code) to be brought
into any County facility except by law enforcement officers and County security
personnel. Persons who attempt to bring dangerous weapons into our facilities
will be asked to remove their weapons from the building. Those who refuse
to do so will be charged with trespassing.
The following procedures should be used by your employees:
1 . If an employee is threatened or observes a threatening or criminal
event in progress, employees should immediately dial 9-1-1.
2. If an employee observes an individual inside a County facility with
a dangerous weapon or believes an individual is carrying a dangerous weapon,
the employee should notify security at 501-4555. In facilities not regularly
covered by County security, such as our libraries, the employee should report
the matter to a supervisor, so that the supervisor may ask the individual
to remove their weapon from the building and may call County police if the
individual refuses to do so.
3. All visitors to public meetings in the Board of Supervisors Board
Room will be required to enter through metal detectors and will be asked
by deputy sheriffs to remove any dangerous weapons from the building.
The administrative regulation supplements and does not replace Section
14.3(F) of the Personnel Rules and Regulations, which prohibits County employees
from possessing weapons at County worksites. Employees who violate that
provision are subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.
We live in difficult times which require extraordinary measures. I believe
this administrative regulation is necessary to protect the safety and welfare
of County employees and officials as well as members of the public who visit
our facilities to conduct business or participate in County events.
Regulation Prohibiting the Possession
of Dangerous Weapons in County Buildings
Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to establish an administrative regulation
that generally prohibits members of the public, including County officials
and volunteers not covered by the County Personnel Rules and Regulations,
from possessing any dangerous weapon in any public facility that is used
by the government of Henrico County, Virginia.
Definitions
For the purposes of this administrative regulation, these terms shall
have the following meanings:
'Dangerous weapon' includes any firearm, explosive device, taser, stun
weapon, knife or other weapon specified in Virginia Code Section 18.2-308(A).
'County public facility' means any building or part thereof that is owned
and occupied or leased as a tenant and occupied by the government of Henrico
County, Virginia. The term 'County public facility' does not mean: (i) any
building that is not occupied or used by County officials or employees;
(ii) any building or part thereof that is owned or leased as a tenant by
any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth; (iii) any courthouse;
or (iv) any County parking lot or deck.
Prohibition against the possession of dangerous weapons
No person shall bring any dangerous weapon into any County public facility.
Any person who enters a County public facility while in possession of any
dangerous weapon in violation of this administrative regulation shall be
a trespasser who shall be subject to the punishment set forth in Virginia
Code Section 18-2-119. The maximum fine for a violation of Virginia Code
Section 18.2-119 is confinement in jail for not more than twelve months
and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
This prohibition shall not apply to the Director of Public Safety, any
law enforcement officer, or any County officer or employee who carries a
dangerous weapon in the course of his or her official business.
Effective date
This administrative regulation shall become effective on October 30,
2001."
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