On Thursday I wrote about the current state of the Virginia governor’s race, as well as some of the dangers in store for the state’s gun owners if Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeats Republican Winsome Earle-Sears next month. Beyond the gun and magazine bans, “red flag” expansions, and storage mandates that are likely to be enacted, we could also see Virginia’s firearm preemption law repealed entirely. That would allow localities to adopt their own anti-gun policies, including new “gun-free zones.”
Richmond, Virginia Police Chief Rick Edwards (no relation), is already suggesting that some entire neighborhoods in the city be off-limits to lawful carry. In a podcast with WTVR host Catie Beck, Edwards spoke about the idea after discussing the continued struggles in fully staffing the department.
Edwards and Beck also discussed crime concerns in Shockoe Bottom, and the idea that turning some Richmond neighborhoods into entertainment districts might help limit gun violence, because they would effectively become “gun-free zones.”
“It’s something that other cities have done. You know, I don’t know the answer to that. I think it would be complicated. It would require additional legislation, and there would certainly be pushback,” said Edwards. “But, you know, Virginia is an open carry state. I’m a gun owner. I believe in the Second Amendment. It’s a right, but it’s also a huge responsibility. And there are certain ways you can, you can mitigate the risk.”
That wasn’t a full-throated endorsement of the idea, but it wasn’t outright opposition either. At the very least, it sounds like Edwards is open to the idea, despite his professed belief in the Second Amendment.
Edwards is right that it would require additional legislation before the Richmond City Council could declare Shockoe Bottom and other neighborhoods “gun-free zones”, but if Democrats gain complete control of state government after the November elections a repeal of Virginia’s firearm preemption law could very well be on the table. The last time Democrats had a trifecta in Richmond, they weakened the preemption law and allowed localities to enact ban guns in public buildings, parks (including recreation and community centers), and streets and surrounding areas when events or rallies that require a permit are happening. A complete repeal of the preemption law would just be the next step.
Shockoe Bottom does have plenty of restaurants, museums, and other attractions, but it’s also home to multiple apartment complexes and condos. And while that neighborhood might have been the topic of conversation between Beck and Edwards, it’s not the only neighborhood that the liberal Richmond City Council could target. The neighborhoods around Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond are also home to a variety of restaurants, lounges, and live music venues, and if preemption goes away it’s not hard to imagine the city council banning lawful carry there as well.
Richmond definitely has its share of violent crime, but making it a criminal offense to carry a firearm for self-defense in neighborhoods that are popular destinations isn’t the answer. It not only puts patrons at risk of being the victims of violent offenders. It heightens the dangers for the employees of these restaurants and lounges, who might not get off work until late in the evening or the early morning hours.
Carjackers, robbers, and other violent criminals aren’t going to stop carrying just because a “Gun-Free Zone” sign gets posted. It will be those folks who want to stay on the right side of the law who’ll be impacted by these restrictions, and as a self-professed Second Amendment guy Chief Edwards should have shut down any talk of turning entire neighborhoods into gun-free zones instead of expressing his openness to this dangerous idea.
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