Since the Events of September 11, the level of security at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond has been heightened. A mirror is poked under cars to detect bombs. Uniformed officers are more visible. And visitors to the Capitol Building must pass through a metal detector.

Of course "if they have a permit they will be allowed to enter [with their weapon]," says Capt. Larry Dollings, head of security for the Capitol. "We have no facilities for storage."

But you can't bring a weapon into a courthouse? "The Capitol is not classified in the same way as a courthouse," says Capt. Dollings. It is only subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia the same as any other building.

Can't you have a tighter security policy as regards weapons in the Capitol? "No," says Capt. Dollings. "You would have to have a new law. This is a matter of law."

There are additional screenings for weapons when entering the Galleries of the House of Delegates and the Senate. Weapons are not permitted in the House Gallery, says Bruce Jamerson, Secretary of the House, but "there is no policy prohibiting Delegates bringing weapons to the Floor."

According to Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the Senate, "Currently there is no policy prohibiting members of the Senate from carrying firearms on the floor of the Senate. No firearms are allowed in the Senate gallery."

There is no metal detector at the entrance to the Assembly Building, and we are told that weapons on the Capitol Grounds are subject only, once again, "to the existing laws of the Commonwealth."

If you wish to have a demonstration on the grounds, you need a permit. If you want to brandish weapons at your demonstration, you need to specify that in your permit application. (The application is passed to the Clerks of the House and Senate, and to the Governor's office - mainly to see if there will be any conflicts with other planned events.)

The Virginia Department of General Services issues the permits for demonstrations in Capitol Square. We are told that they have had guns aplenty in demonstrations - Civil War re-enactors, for example. And a gun-safety group brought guns to their demonstration in order to advocate the use of trigger locks. But if there is a perceived threat to the public safety or order, it is the Capitol Police who will be brought in.

Security at Polling Places

There are no metal detectors at polling places in Charlottesville or Albemarle. No mirrors to check under cars. Not even police. "After Florida, there's the feeling that uniformed officers at the polls might be seen as intimidating to some voters," says Jackie Harris, Registrar for Albemarle County.

Harris says that the State Board of Elections did send around a memo requesting the local boards to have a "heightened sense of alertness" about possible terrorist acts. She says that the Albemarle Registrar's Office has instructed the police about the location of polling places in the county.

Poll watchers in the county are being trained to "remain vigilant for untoward activities," says Ms. Harris. They are to immediately call police if they feel it is warranted, and to protect the lives and safety of the voters as much as they are able. Protecting the results of the election would follow as a second priority.

Sheri Owens, Registrar for the City of Charlottesville, mentions extra police patrols past the polling places, as well as the usual employment of off-duty officers for traffic and parking control at Alumni Hall and the Rec Center.

People carrying guns, city or county, are subject only to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia - which means that guns can be prohibited, or their possession regulated, only according to laws that cover the building containing the polling place: In a school (which includes Alumni Hall as far as we know), no guns; the Rec Center, on the other hand, may not be able to regulate gun-toting. We have requested from Fry Springs Beach Club clarification of their policy, but not yet had a response. (Dave Sagarin, October 31, 2001)