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Fairfax City council sets public hearing for firearms ordinance for Sept. 30, 2025
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to align city firearms restrictions with Fairfax County and set its public hearing for Sept. 30, 2025, after brief discussion about exemptions and enforcement; vote to set the date was unanimous.
Fairfax City Council introduced an ordinance on July 8 that would amend the Code of the City of Fairfax to expand places where possession, carrying or transportation of firearms and ammunition are prohibited and to increase penalties for violations.
City attorney and staff described the proposal as intended to align the city’s prohibited locations — including areas around city‑permitted events and adjacent sidewalks and rights‑of‑way — with Fairfax County’s rules and to clarify park prohibitions. The draft ordinance would also raise the penalty for violations from a class 4 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in the text as drafted for council consideration.
Councilmember Janie Hall moved to introduce the ordinance, waive the first reading and set the public hearing for Sept. 30, 2025; Councilmember Peterson seconded. Hall and Peterson said they wanted the chief of police and other staff or state police representatives available at the public hearing to answer questions about concealed‑carry questions, response times and enforcement. City staff said the Sept. 30 date is changeable and that the council can amend the ordinance or add exemptions at the public hearing.
Vote: The roll call on the motion to set the public hearing was unanimous. Councilmembers Hall, Hardy Chandler, Peterson, Bates and McQuillan voted aye.
Why it matters: The ordinance would change where firearms are prohibited on city property and at city‑permitted events; the public hearing will allow the public and council to consider potential exemptions (cited in the staff report as a subject of earlier work session discussion). City staff said they will provide materials and expert staff at the public hearing to answer technical questions, including on concealed‑carry implications and proposed effective dates in the draft ordinance.
What’s next: The council will hold a public hearing on Sept. 30, 2025 (or another date if council amends the schedule) where members can propose changes, including exemptions or changes to the proposed effective date. The ordinance’s text and staff report will be publicly posted ahead of the hearing for review.
