Carrying a firearm at Virginia Polling Places (Elections)

[allingeneral]

From VCDL dated 06 NOV 2012

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1. Carry at polling places
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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.

Read more: http://vagunforum.net/post138381.html?h ... z2BUmlidmc

[ProShooter]

I re-wrote all of that for SBE...and they still want to do things the hard way.

[VBshooter]

Carry concealed and don't worry about it!

[FiremanBob]

Carry concealed and don't worry about it!

+1. I would hate to think that an assertive open carrier caused some sheep to vote Democrat, but it could happen. An example of the difference between exercising our rights and exercising our rights with subtlety and discretion for what is politically intelligent.

[smltooner]

Carry concealed and don't worry about it!

+1

[OakRidgeStars]

Carry concealed and don't worry about it!

+1

Just make sure you understand the risks involved if your polling place is on school property.

[confederate4ver1]

I live within 1000 feet of a school. Is there some kind of federal law that prohibits carry ? I have a CCW.