Carry At Polling Places

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Carry At Polling Places
Virginia Citizens Defense League
Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA –-(Ammoland.com)- It is legal to carry in a polling place in Virginia EXCEPT in a place that would otherwise prohibit the carry of firearms, such as a K-12 school or a courthouse.

There is some question about the State Board of Elections prohibiting open carry in polling places (this came up in Chesterfield earlier this year). Concealed carry with a CHP is not in question (again at places where it is not otherwise unlawful to carry.)

Page 2.9 of the election officials handbook it states:

“If someone is known to have a weapon, and is not a sworn law enforcement official displaying their badge, or a person displaying a valid Virginia concealed weapons (sic) permit, have more than one election official approach the individual together and simply ask him to leave the weapon outside. If the person does not immediately comply, have an election official cal 9-1-1 and report the incident.”

I don’t see that there would be legal grounds for arrest, since there is no law against carrying at a polling place. However, that doesn’t mean an arrest couldn’t happen anyway.

Just a “word to the wise” and another reason that we need state agency preemption.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

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Luis

Is there an update for this?