Chapter 105. Regulations Prohibiting the Carrying of Firearms or Explosive Materials in Offices Owned or Occupied by Executive Branch Agencies
1VAC30-105-10. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the carrying of firearms or explosive materials in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, with certain exceptions as set forth in this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-20. Applicability.
This chapter applies to all buildings owned, leased, or controlled in whole or in part by or for an executive branch agency. This chapter is intended to be consistent with § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-30. Definitions.
"Authorized security personnel" means a natural person who is employed to (i) perform the functions of observation, detection, reporting, or notification of appropriate authorities or designated agents regarding persons or property on the premises the person is assigned to protect; (ii) safeguard and protect persons and property; or (iii) deter theft, loss, or concealment of any tangible or intangible personal property on the premises the person is assigned to protect.
"Executive branch agency" means any administrative unit of state government in the executive branch, including any department, institution, commission, board, council, authority, or other body, however designated.
"Explosive material" means any chemical compound mixture or device the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; the term includes dynamite and other high explosives, black powder, pellet powder, smokeless gun powder, detonators, blasting caps, and detonating cord but does not include fireworks or permissible fireworks as defined in § 27-95 of the Code of Virginia.
"Firearm" means any handgun, pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material.
"Law-enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-307.1 of the Code of Virginia.
"State office" means any building or portion of a building owned, leased, or controlled by or for an executive branch agency. This includes that portion of any building open to others and then used exclusively for functions or activities sponsored by an executive branch agency tenant while such functions are taking place. It does not include parking facilities, lodges, or cabins owned by the Commonwealth and used solely for the public for recreational activities, any buildings that serve as living quarters for Commonwealth employees, or any buildings at a rest area on an interstate highway.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-40. Possession of firearms prohibited.
Possession or carrying of any firearm or explosive material by any person is prohibited in state offices. Entry upon a state office in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-50. Required lease terms for state offices.
All leases entered into where an executive branch agency is the lessor shall contain a prohibition on firearms or explosive material consistent with this chapter. All leases entered into for the benefit of an executive branch agency shall contain this prohibition to indicate the lessor's acknowledgment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-60. Posting of signs.
A. Posting location. Signs shall be posted at all state offices indicating the prohibition against carrying firearms or explosive material. Where the entire premises are owned or occupied by an executive branch agency, signs shall be displayed at every entrance. Where only a portion of the premises are leased for an executive branch agency, the signs shall be displayed within the leased space. If an executive branch agency is using an office open to others, temporary signs shall be displayed at or near the entry to the office during the time the office is being used exclusively for Commonwealth-sponsored functions or activities while such functions are taking place.
B. Size and design. Signs shall be of a size and design approved by the Department of General Services. Agencies shall be responsible for obtaining signage design from the Department of General Services and for posting of the signs.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.
1VAC30-105-70. Enforcement.
The occupying agency shall be responsible for enforcing this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§ 2.2-1102 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017.
1VAC30-105-80. Exemptions.
A. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or military personnel, or fire marshals who have police powers when such individuals are authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with their duties and when such individuals are carrying the firearm within that authority. The provisions of this chapter also do not apply to any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.
B. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:
1. Any State Police officer who is off duty;
2. Any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia;
3. Any retired law-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth;
4. Any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee's official duties:
a. A bail bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia;
b. An employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility;
c. An employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; or
d. An employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources;
5. Any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1 of the Code of Virginia;
6. Any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education;
7. Any state park; or
8. Any magistrate acting in the conduct of the magistrate's official duties.
Statutory Authority
§§ 2.2-1102 and 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. January 27, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 5, 2025.