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Manassas Park council approves ban on firearms in city buildings with tiered penalties
Summary
The Manassas Park governing body voted to amend the city code to prohibit possession or transportation of firearms in city buildings, adopting a three‑tier penalty schedule, a one‑year window between tiers and a delayed effective date to allow signage.
The Manassas Park governing body on Oct. 21 approved an amendment to the city code to prohibit the possession, carrying or transportation of firearms, ammunition and components in city‑owned or city‑controlled buildings, adopting a staggered fine structure and a delayed effective date to allow for signage.
Staff summarized the proposal as a targeted restriction on firearms inside municipal buildings, retaining standard exemptions for sworn law enforcement, military personnel acting in official capacity, certain athletic programs, and private security performing duties. "The proposed ordinance would prohibit, with some exceptions, the possession, carrying, or transportation of firearms, ammunition, and components thereof in city owned or city controlled buildings," staff said during the presentation.
Vice Mayor Moore (speaking as a council member during debate) urged a graduated enforcement scheme: "It would start out with the $250, which I think was a class 4. It would go to $500. And then on the third offense, it would be the high $2,500," and recommended a time element between tiers so repeat offenses are counted only within a year. Council adopted a three‑tier approach with a one‑year buffer between tiers and moved the ordinance’s effective date to Jan. 1, 2026, to allow staff time to install signage.
Council discussion also addressed enforcement posture and costs. Staff said enforcement would be complaint‑driven rather than proactive monitoring, and that sign production could be handled in‑house to limit cost. Council members noted existing parking‑lot cameras and discussed risk to vehicles if residents comply by placing firearms in trunks before entering buildings.
By roll call the ordinance passed. Council recorded five yes votes and two no votes; the motion carried. The ordinance establishes a delayed effective date to allow for signage and implementation steps and retains the listed exemptions in the adopted language.
Next steps: the city will finalize signage and implementation steps during the window before the ordinance takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
