Manassas Park holds lengthy public hearing on draft ordinance to ban firearms in city buildings; council debates enforcement and exemptions

Manassas Park officials opened a public hearing Oct. 7 on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit possession, carrying or transportation of firearms, ammunition and related components in city‑owned or city‑controlled buildings.

The city attorney summarized the state legal framework that permitted local ordinances of this type under the recently amended enabling language (cited in staff materials as Va. Code §15.2‑915) and walked the governing body through key policy choices: the geographic scope (city‑owned and city‑controlled buildings only), signage and notice requirements, possible penalty schemes (class‑level misdemeanors or tiered fines) and potential exemptions. The proposed draft does not include a concealed‑carry exemption; the attorney noted the governing body could choose to add one.

The presentation emphasized that signage and public notice are critical to…