Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Is concealed carry OK at the Richmond Coliseum? Going to an event there this weekend.

Parry

Yep, and OC is fine too.

Preemption applies so you are good to go. They can't say boo.

If it's a graduation event, don't carry they will turn you away at the door. They have signs posted no weapons, and run metal detectors. My daughter graduated last year and it was an experience for sure. Otherwise, I don't know for sure.

§ 18.2-308.1. Possession of firearm, stun weapon, or other weapon on school property prohibited.
A. If any person possesses any (i) stun weapon as defined in this section; (ii) knife, except a pocket knife having a folding metal blade of less than three inches; or (iii) weapon, including a weapon of like kind, designated in subsection A of § 18.2-308, other than a firearm; upon (a) the property of any public, private or religious elementary, middle or high school, including buildings and grounds; (b) that portion of any property open to the public and then exclusively used for school-sponsored functions or extracurricular activities while such functions or activities are taking place; or (c) any school bus owned or operated by any such school, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

While the Coliseum is being used for a school event, weapons are prohibited, after the event ends back to normal

Ok wally, thanks for the info. It actually makes a lot of sense why now. I wonder if you could carry into a school on Sunday if they were having church in one? Just curious?

davasmith wrote:Ok wally, thanks for the info. It actually makes a lot of sense why now. I wonder if you could carry into a school on Sunday if they were having church in one? Just curious?

Clause a) prohibits carry in the school anytime, so no, even if they are holding non-school events in a school, carry is not allowed.

If its a school event, then yes they can prohibit guns as has been stated above.

OP - what type of event is this that you are attending?

This was graduation for VCU. We went to one event on Friday evening at Siegel Center, which I did not carry to, as it's part of the VCU campus, and the law specifically prohibits carrying there.
I had visited the Coliseum's website before I posted, and no mention of firearms at all. I had figured that preemption applied though. I was not aware of the law about property and exclusive school use, so I'm glad to have that clarification. It notes elementary, Middle, and High schools.

So I carried concealed Saturday morning to the Coliseum. They did check bags, but just a glance. No wands or metal detectors or signs. No guilt or paranoia, either.


Parry

newdovo wrote:This was graduation for VCU. We went to one event on Friday evening at Siegel Center, which I did not carry to, as it's part of the VCU campus, and the law specifically prohibits carrying there.

Actually unless you are a "member of the University community", you can carry there.

ProShooter wrote:Actually unless you are a "member of the University community", you can carry there.

Jim, give me a reference here. I waited for some of my family after the 10K in Richmond some months ago, and about wet myself after going into the book store (while CC) and realizing that I was on the VCU campus. Since I'm not a student or faculty, can I actually carry there? I have not understood the law that way.

BTW, I probably won't be on campus as often as I used to be. My oldest daughter's a new grad now and looking to start her career as a nurse.
And.... Go Rams!!


Parry

My understanding and interpretation (as well as that of at least 2 attorneys who have taken my class) is that the statute only applies to "members of the University community", i.e. students, teachers, and other employees.

Here's the Code section, and remember also that this is an Administrative Code, not a Criminal Code.

8VAC90-10-50. The right to academic freedom and to equal educational and occupational access.

The university is committed to providing an environment conducive to academic freedom, free inquiry, and equal access to educational and occupational opportunities. The principle of academic freedom requires all persons to respect another's dignity, to acknowledge another's right to express differing opinions, to cultivate and to cherish intellectual honesty, and to promote freedom of inquiry and expression. It is therefore the policy of the university that no act of any member of the university community shall serve to restrain or inhibit access to opportunities or the exercise of these freedoms. To that end, no person, either singly or in concert with others, shall willfully:


1. Discriminate against another person on a basis not reasonably related to the educational or job functions involved on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, and age.

2. Harass or intimidate any person.

3. Cause physical injury or threaten any person with force or violence.

4. Have in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the president of the university. This restriction does not apply to persons whose duties lawfully require the possession of firearms or other weapons.

5. Disrupt or prevent the peaceful or orderly conduct of classes, lectures, meetings, or other university functions, or interfere with the lawful freedom of other persons, including invited speakers, to express their views.

6. Falsify or forge an official university record or document, or file documents with the university with the intent to mislead.

7. Lie, cheat, steal, or plagiarize. Violations of lying, cheating, plagiarism, and stealing will be adjudicated through this chapter or other applicable documents. Student academic violations of lying, cheating, plagiarism, and stealing will be referred to the VCU Honor System for adjudication.

8. Violate any duly authorized university rule or regulation issued pursuant to a specific university function, for example, regulations applicable to social events, the library, or university hospitals.

9. Incite others to commit any act which has been herein prohibited.

10. Bring charges against a member of the university community that are spurious, or that are intended primarily to harass or maliciously defame, or that are designed to intentionally overburden the adjudicatory system.

The phrase "To that end" is a continuation of the previous sentence which references the members of the university community. Look at the list of offenses...plagurism? falsifying university documents? These are things that can be done by students, teachers, etc....not the guy going to the Siegel Center to watch a basketball game, or a graduation ceremony, or visit a sick friend at MCV/VCU Hospital. Its clear (IMHO) that the administrative authority can only be held against those that have a "contract" of some sort with VCU, like a student or employee.