VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings - The Firearms Forum

paramedic70002 · 02-13-2007, 05:59 AM

http://content.hamptonroads.com/stor...311&ran=161397

McDonnell disarms school boards on gun bans
By TIM MCGLONE, The Virginian-Pilot
© February 13, 2007

Gun rights advocates are praising a ruling by the attorney general who said school boards cannot prohibit the possession of firearms at board meetings held outside school grounds.

The ruling has surprised some local school board leaders who had no idea guns were allowed at some of their meetings.

"Oh my. I'm not aware of that ever coming up," said Barry Bishop, Norfolk School Board chairman.

The case stems from a York County incident in 2005 when resident and gun rights advocate Chet Szymecki showed up at a School Board meeting with a firearm strapped to his hip. Before the meeting, Szymecki checked with the local sheriff and was told he could legally carry his firearm as long as the meeting was not held in a school.

Szymecki is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which lobbies for the right to keep and bear arms.

York County holds its School Board meetings at York Hall, a county building. State law prohibits the possession of firearms in a K-12 school building, but not in government offices.

The handgun strapped openly to Szymecki's side apparently upset parents and children in attendance as well as School Board members, according to news reports at the time.

Last year, the General Assembly considered a bill, requested by York County Schools, to ban the possession of firearms anywhere a school board meets. When that failed, school officials sought the legal opinion of Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

"It is my opinion that the Code of Virginia does not grant to the York County School Board the authority to prohibit the possession of firearms at school board meetings that are not held on school property," McDonnell wrote in a Jan. 29 letter to York County Attorney James E. Barnett. The Virginian-Pilot obtained that letter Monday.

P O L L

Should school boards be allowed to prohibit the possession of firearms at board meetings held outside school grounds?

Yes
No
Undecided

View results

Latest Videos

Fighting fires goes high-tech with new 'robots'

ODU introduces Bobby Wilder as football coach

Local music video: R & B group 'Kazual'

Raw Video: Bear Rescued From New Jersey Tree

Woman Charged With Stealing Rabbits

Six Dead After Utah Mall Rampage

Man Kills 3 at Philly Business Meeting

See the complete Pilot, exactly as in print
- View stories, photos and ads
- E-mail clippings
- Print copies
Log in or learn more

York County School Division officials did not respond to messages left Monday.

The ruling was hailed by members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.

"The truth of the matter is, schools deal with children, school board meetings are mostly for adults," said league President Philip Van Cleave.

Van Cleave said he believes McDonnell's ruling extends to meetings held at school administration buildings as well. He said his organization is continuing to push the General Assembly to lift the prohibition of firearms in schools.

"We're not going to hurt anybody," fellow league member Mike Stollenwerk said. "We're the ones you want around when you have the madman on the loose."

A survey of most South Hampton Roads cities found that while most school boards meet in administration or city hall buildings, officials could not recall anyone openly carrying a gun.

The issue has never come up, at least "not to my knowledge," said Eileen Smith, a spokeswoman for Virginia Beach schools. Chesapeake School Board Chairman Tom Mercer and Suffolk schools spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw said the same is true in their cities.

Most school board meetings are staffed by an armed police officer, who is exempt from the law.

Bishop said he planned to bring up the issue at Monday night's Norfolk School Board meeting.

Staff writers Jon Frank, Amy Coutee and Cindy Clayton contributed to this report.

Reach Tim McGlone at (757) 446-2343 or tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com.

satellite66 · 02-13-2007, 07:12 AM

A friend who just retired to VA sent me this about VA gun laws. It is from the enemy but it paints a good picture for gun owners.
VA gun laws

paramedic70002 · 02-13-2007, 08:53 AM

Click on the link to take the poll!

Marlin T · 02-13-2007, 01:11 PM

These are the teachers of the Constitution? ya right

pickenup · 02-13-2007, 04:01 PM

Will wait to see if this changes.

02-13-2007, 05:59 AM	#1
paramedic70002 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Franklin, VA Posts: 37	VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings http://content.hamptonroads.com/stor...311&ran=161397 McDonnell disarms school boards on gun bans By TIM MCGLONE, The Virginian-Pilot © February 13, 2007 Gun rights advocates are praising a ruling by the attorney general who said school boards cannot prohibit the possession of firearms at board meetings held outside school grounds. The ruling has surprised some local school board leaders who had no idea guns were allowed at some of their meetings. "Oh my. I'm not aware of that ever coming up," said Barry Bishop, Norfolk School Board chairman. The case stems from a York County incident in 2005 when resident and gun rights advocate Chet Szymecki showed up at a School Board meeting with a firearm strapped to his hip. Before the meeting, Szymecki checked with the local sheriff and was told he could legally carry his firearm as long as the meeting was not held in a school. Szymecki is a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, which lobbies for the right to keep and bear arms. York County holds its School Board meetings at York Hall, a county building. State law prohibits the possession of firearms in a K-12 school building, but not in government offices. The handgun strapped openly to Szymecki's side apparently upset parents and children in attendance as well as School Board members, according to news reports at the time. Last year, the General Assembly considered a bill, requested by York County Schools, to ban the possession of firearms anywhere a school board meets. When that failed, school officials sought the legal opinion of Attorney General Bob McDonnell. "It is my opinion that the Code of Virginia does not grant to the York County School Board the authority to prohibit the possession of firearms at school board meetings that are not held on school property," McDonnell wrote in a Jan. 29 letter to York County Attorney James E. Barnett. The Virginian-Pilot obtained that letter Monday. P O L L Should school boards be allowed to prohibit the possession of firearms at board meetings held outside school grounds? Yes No Undecided View results Latest Videos Fighting fires goes high-tech with new 'robots' ODU introduces Bobby Wilder as football coach Local music video: R & B group 'Kazual' Raw Video: Bear Rescued From New Jersey Tree Woman Charged With Stealing Rabbits Six Dead After Utah Mall Rampage Man Kills 3 at Philly Business Meeting See the complete Pilot, exactly as in print - View stories, photos and ads - E-mail clippings - Print copies Log in or learn more York County School Division officials did not respond to messages left Monday. The ruling was hailed by members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. "The truth of the matter is, schools deal with children, school board meetings are mostly for adults," said league President Philip Van Cleave. Van Cleave said he believes McDonnell's ruling extends to meetings held at school administration buildings as well. He said his organization is continuing to push the General Assembly to lift the prohibition of firearms in schools. "We're not going to hurt anybody," fellow league member Mike Stollenwerk said. "We're the ones you want around when you have the madman on the loose." A survey of most South Hampton Roads cities found that while most school boards meet in administration or city hall buildings, officials could not recall anyone openly carrying a gun. The issue has never come up, at least "not to my knowledge," said Eileen Smith, a spokeswoman for Virginia Beach schools. Chesapeake School Board Chairman Tom Mercer and Suffolk schools spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw said the same is true in their cities. Most school board meetings are staffed by an armed police officer, who is exempt from the law. Bishop said he planned to bring up the issue at Monday night's Norfolk School Board meeting. Staff writers Jon Frank, Amy Coutee and Cindy Clayton contributed to this report. Reach Tim McGlone at (757) 446-2343 or tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com. -->

02-13-2007, 07:12 AM	#2
satellite66 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Central NJ Posts: 2,068	Re: VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings A friend who just retired to VA sent me this about VA gun laws. It is from the enemy but it paints a good picture for gun owners. VA gun laws __________________ “Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not” — Thomas Jefferson. "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

02-13-2007, 08:53 AM	#3
paramedic70002 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Franklin, VA Posts: 37	Re: VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings Click on the link to take the poll!

02-13-2007, 01:11 PM	#4
Marlin T Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,857	Re: VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings These are the teachers of the Constitution? ya right __________________ "But the simple truth--born of experience--is that tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people." Judge Alex Kozinski - United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. - Thomas Paine Did you read todays GOOD shooting? >>>KEEPANDBEARARMS.COM <<<

02-13-2007, 04:01 PM	#5
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: VA AG says guns OK at school board meetings Will wait to see if this changes. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine