Manassas Park council approves ordinance banning firearms in city buildings

The Manassas Park City Council on Oct. 21 approved an ordinance prohibiting the possession, carrying or transportation of firearms, ammunition and components inside city-owned and city-controlled buildings, with standard public‑safety exemptions and a phased penalty schedule.

City attorney/staff summarized the draft ordinance and reiterated it would include standard exemptions for sworn law‑enforcement officers, military personnel acting in official duties, private security contractors working for the city and other limited categories. The ordinance retains a delayed effective date to allow time for signage and public notice.

Vice Mayor Moore urged a graduated fine structure and proposed three tiers of penalties with a one‑year look‑back period between offenses; councilors discussed enforcement logistics and signage costs. Staff said enforcement would be complaint‑driven rather than proactive screening at entrances.

After debate the council reached consensus to adopt a three‑tier penalty approach, keep concealed‑carry status from serving as a blanket exemption, and set a delayed effective date. The council moved and approved the ordinance by roll call.

City staff said the ordinance will be implemented with complaints as the primary enforcement mechanism and that the city will produce signage in‑house to reduce cost. The council indicated further fine and enforcement language will be reflected in the final codified section and the city attorney will finalize language before publication.

The ordinance, as amended by council, takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, to allow time for signage and administrative preparations (the transcript record showed an earlier date; staff confirmed the intention was a post‑2025 effective date to allow for implementation).