"This year the General Assembly passed a law erasing any local ordinances prohibiting the carrying of guns, concealed or in the open, in public places. According to Councilor Blake Caravati, this means "we cannot specifically prevent a citizen from carrying a gun into City Council chambers." He notes that "brandishing a gun is a different matter. That will get you thrown out in a heartbeat."

Prior to passage of this law, several localities, including Charlottesville, had local ordinances prohibiting carrying guns in to public buildings. As of July 1 - when the General Assembly-passed law goes in to effect, such ordinances are null and void.

The City will keep its "Workplace Violence Policy" that prohibits city employees, other than those in law enforcement, from carrying guns into city buildings.

In a recent interview, Councilor Caravati provided an update of his views on guns in the City and in City Hall.

Q. In 2002, the City Council had a legislative initiative asking the General Assembly to pass no laws that would restrict the City from regulating guns in public buildings. What prompted this initiative and what happened to it?

A. It went nowhere. It was prompted by a bill presented in the previous General Assembly session that would prohibit localities from putting any restrictions on where a gun could be carried. The General Assembly doesn't allow guns in their legislative chambers, and our "workplace environment" policy doesn't allow them in City Hall (except of course for police officers). If they don't allow them in their house, we should be able to prohibit them in ours.

Q. Are you a member of any gun organizations?

A. No.

Q. Do you think gun possession and membership in gun organizations is controversial in Charlottesville?

A. The attitude towards guns in the City is a little tenuous because of the progressive politics that dominate the City. I think there's also a bad feeling in the City about gun organizations because of the negative attitude many of these organizations display. But I don't think it's controversial to own guns. I've had guns since I was nine years old, but only for sporting purposes. I doubt if there are many councilors in the past 10 years who have been gun owners.

Q. What about gun violence in the City?

A. We are fortunate in Charlottesville not to have much gun violence, and what there is is closely tied to criminal activity. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law any use of guns in the commission of a crime. Chief Longo is very serious about enforcing this part of the law." (Jim Heilman, May 20, 2004)

See also Blake Caravati Responds to Questions on City Weapons Policy and Gun Safety and There is Frustration - But is there any Danger?

Editor's Note: According to Assistant City Attorney Renee Knake (electronic mail, May 20, 2004):

Effective July 2, 2004, Va. Code §15.2-915 has been amended to provide that all local ordinances regulating "the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combinations thereof" are invalid. See http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+ful+CHAP0837 .

This amendment will not impact the City's workplace violence policy, as the statute explicitly provides that a locality may adopt "workplace rules relating to terms and conditions of employment of the workforce". Again, see http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+ful+CHAP0837 .

If a City employee is on his day off, and comes to City Hall as a citizen rather than an employee, he may enter with a gun so long as he is carrying it lawfully.