TITLE 1. ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

Fast-Track Regulation

Title of Regulation: 1VAC30-105. Regulations Banning Concealed Firearms in Offices Owned or Occupied by Executive Branch Agencies (amending 1VAC30-105-10 through 1VAC30-105-60, 1VAC30-105-80).

Statutory Authority: §§ 2.2-1100 and 2.2-1102 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearing is currently scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: November 19, 2025.

Effective Date: December 5, 2025.

Agency Contact: Kimberly Freiberger, Policy Planning Specialist III, Department of General Services, 1100 Bank Street, Suite 420, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 205-3861, or email kimberly.freiberger@dgs.virginia.gov.

Basis: Sections 2.2-1100 and 2.2-1102 of the Code of Virginia establish the Department of General Services and authorize the department to promulgate regulations.

Purpose: This action will improve compliance, reduce confusion, and promote transparency by aligning the regulation with statute. The amendments maintain existing protections for the health and safety of the public.

Rationale for Using Fast-Track Rulemaking Process: This action is considered noncontroversial and therefore appropriate for using the fast-track rulemaking process because it brings the regulation up to date with statute. The amendments do not allow for any agency discretion.

Substance: The amendments align the regulation with § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia by (i) removing outdated language, (ii) updating definitions, and (iii) clarifying exemptions to the prohibition on carrying firearms or explosive materials in executive branch agency buildings.

Issues: The primary advantage to the agency and public of amending the regulation is to better align it with the Code of Virginia. There are no disadvantages to the public or the Commonwealth.

Department of Planning and Budget Economic Impact Analysis:

The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia and Executive Order 19. The analysis presented represents DPB's best estimate of the potential economic impacts as of the date of this analysis.¹

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The Department of General Services (DGS) proposes to amend this regulation to conform to the language found in § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.²

Background. Currently, the scope of this regulation is limited to carrying concealed firearms in buildings occupied by executive branch agencies. Chapters 527³ and 548⁴ (identical) of the 2021 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, expanded the scope of the ban on carrying firearms to include (i) all firearms (rather than only concealed firearms), (ii) explosive materials, and (iii) all state owned or leased buildings (rather than buildings occupied by the executive branch agencies). Subsequently, Chapter 810⁵ of the 2023 Acts of Assembly, added an exception for off-duty and retired state police officers. In this action, DGS proposes to amend the regulation to conform to the 2021 and 2023 legislation as they apply to buildings occupied by the executive branch agencies.

Estimated Benefits and Costs. The buildings owned or leased by executive branch agencies have already been subject to the broadened legislative ban on carrying firearms since 2021, and the exception since 2023. Because statute supersedes regulation, amending the text of the regulation to conform to the Code of Virginia is not expected to create any economic impact other than providing consistency between the Code of Virginia and the regulation.

Businesses and Other Entities Affected. According to DGS, there are approximately 14,100 state-owned or leased buildings in the Commonwealth. The proposed changes would apply to all persons, with certain exceptions, seeking entry into such buildings. The Code of Virginia requires DPB to assess whether an adverse impact may result from the proposed regulation.⁶ An adverse impact is indicated if there is any increase in net cost or reduction in net benefit for any entity, even if the benefits exceed the costs for all entities combined.⁷ The changes stem from legislation which is already in effect, and thus conforming the regulatory text to the Code of Virginia is not expected to create any economic impact other than providing consistency between the Code and the regulation. Thus, no adverse impact from the regulatory change is indicated.

Small Businesses⁸ Affected.⁹ The proposed amendments do not adversely affect small businesses.

Localities¹⁰ Affected.¹¹ The proposed amendments do not introduce costs for localities.

Projected Impact on Employment. No impact on employment is expected.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. No effects on the use and value of private property nor on real estate development costs are expected.

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¹ Section 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia requires that such economic impact analyses determine the public benefits and costs of the proposed amendments. Further the analysis should include but not be limited to: (1) the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the proposed regulatory action would apply, (2) the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, (3) the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, (4) the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and (5) the impact on the use and value of private property.

² https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter7/section18.2-283.2/.

³ https://legacylis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?212+ful+CHAP0527.

⁴ https://legacylis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?212+ful+CHAP0548.

⁵ https://legacylis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0810.

⁶ Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04 D of the Code of Virginia: In the event this economic impact analysis reveals that the proposed regulation would have an adverse economic impact on businesses or would impose a significant adverse economic impact on a locality, business, or entity particularly affected, the Department of Planning and Budget shall advise the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance..

⁷ Statute does not define "adverse impact," state whether only Virginia entities should be considered, nor indicate whether an adverse impact results from regulatory requirements mandated by legislation. As a result, DPB has adopted a definition of adverse impact that assesses changes in net costs and benefits for each affected Virginia entity that directly results from discretionary changes to the regulation.

⁸ Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04, small business is defined as "a business entity, including its affiliates, that (i) is independently owned and operated and (ii) employs fewer than 500 full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $6 million."

⁹ If the proposed regulatory action may have an adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include: (1) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the proposed regulation, (2) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the proposed regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents, (3) a statement of the probable effect of the proposed regulation on affected small businesses, and (4) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed regulation. Additionally, pursuant to § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia, if there is a finding that a proposed regulation may have an adverse impact on small business, the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules shall be notified.

¹⁰ "Locality" can refer to either local governments or the locations in the Commonwealth where the activities relevant to the regulatory change are most likely to occur.

¹¹ Section 2.2-4007.04 defines "particularly affected" as bearing disproportionate material impact.

Agency Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of General Services concurs with the economic impact analysis prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget.

Summary:

The amendments align the regulation with § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia by (i) removing outdated language, (ii) updating definitions, and (iii) clarifying exemptions to the prohibition on carrying firearms or explosive materials in executive branch agency buildings.

Chapter 105

Regulations Banning Concealed Prohibiting the Carrying of Firearms or Explosive Materials in Offices Owned or Occupied by Executive Branch Agencies

1VAC30-105-10. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to ban prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms or explosive materials in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, with certain exceptions as set forth herein in this chapter.

1VAC30-105-20. Applicability.

A. This chapter applies to all buildings owned, leased, or controlled in whole or in part by or for an executive branch agency. This chapter is intended to be consistent with the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management Policy 1.80 – Workplace Violence, which prohibits state employees from possessing, brandishing, or using a weapon that is not required by the employee's position while on state premises or engaged in state business § 18.2-283.2 of the Code of Virginia.

B. This chapter applies to the concealed carrying of firearms; the Department of General Services has issued a guidance document elsewhere prohibiting the open carrying of firearms.

C. The prohibition against carrying a concealed firearm does not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or military personnel when such individuals are authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with their duties and when they are carrying the firearm within that authority. It also does not apply to state employees where the employee's position requires carrying a concealed firearm.

D. This chapter does not apply to individuals who are on public hunting lands, are engaged in lawful hunting, and are in compliance with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting and trapping regulations found in 4VAC15, regarding allowable firearms and hunting license requirements.

1VAC30-105-30. Definitions.

"Authorized security personnel" means a natural person who is employed to (i) perform the functions of observation, detection, reporting, or notification of appropriate authorities or designated agents regarding persons or property on the premises he the person is assigned to protect; (ii) safeguard and protect persons and property; or (iii) deter theft, loss, or concealment of any tangible or intangible personal property on the premises he the person is assigned to protect.

"Concealed firearm" means a firearm hidden from common observation, including a firearm hidden when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the firearm's true nature.

"Executive branch agency" means any administrative unit of state government in the executive branch, including any department, institution, commission, board, council, authority, or other body, however designated.

"Explosive material" means any chemical compound mixture or device the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; the term includes dynamite and other high explosives, black powder, pellet powder, smokeless gun powder, detonators, blasting caps, and detonating cord but does not include fireworks or permissible fireworks as defined in § 27-95 of the Code of Virginia.

"Firearm" means any handgun, pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material.

"Law-enforcement officer" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-307.1 of the Code of Virginia. This shall also include retired law-enforcement officers certified pursuant to § 18.2-308.016 of the Code of Virginia.

"State office" means any building or portion of a building owned, leased, or controlled by or for an executive branch agency. This includes that portion of any building open to others and then used exclusively for functions or activities sponsored by an executive branch agency tenant or tenants while such functions are taking place. It shall does not include parking facilities, lodges, or cabins owned by the Commonwealth and used solely for the public for recreational activities, any buildings that serve as living quarters for Commonwealth employees, or any buildings at a rest area on an interstate highway.

1VAC30-105-40. Possession of firearms prohibited.

Possession or carrying of any concealed firearm or explosive material by any person is prohibited in state offices. Entry upon a state office in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden. This prohibition does not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or military personnel when such individuals are authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with their duties and when they are carrying the firearm within that authority. It also does not apply to state employees where the employee's position requires carrying a concealed firearm.

1VAC30-105-50. Required lease terms for state offices.

All leases entered into where an executive branch agency is the lessor shall contain a prohibition on concealed firearms or explosive material consistent with this chapter. All leases entered into for the benefit of an executive branch agency shall contain this prohibition to indicate the lessor's acknowledgment. Exceptions may be allowed where approved in writing by the Governor or his designee.

1VAC30-105-60. Posting of signs.

A. Posting location. Signs shall be posted at all state offices indicating the prohibition against carrying concealed firearms or explosive material. Where the entire premises are owned or occupied by an executive branch agency, signs shall be displayed at every entrance. Where only a portion of the premises are leased for an executive branch agency, the signs shall be displayed within the leased space. If an executive branch agency is using an office open to others, temporary signs shall be displayed at or near the entry to the office during the time the office is being used exclusively for Commonwealth sponsored Commonwealth-sponsored functions or activities while such functions are taking place.

B. Size and design. Signs shall be of a size and design approved by the Department of General Services. Agencies shall be responsible for obtaining signage design from the Department of General Services and for posting of the signs.

1VAC30-105-80. Exemptions.

A. A state The provisions of this chapter do not apply to law-enforcement officers, authorized security personnel, or military personnel, or fire marshals who have police powers when such individuals are authorized to carry a firearm in accordance with their duties and when such individuals are carrying the firearm within that authority. The provisions of this chapter also do not apply to any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education is exempt from this chapter if the institution has implemented its own policies or regulations governing firearms while such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.

B. Members of the Virginia National Guard (the guard) who possess a valid concealed handgun permit shall be exempt from this chapter while at facilities owned by the guard or under contract or lease to the guard. This exemption may be withdrawn by the commanding officer of any member while such member is participating in any training or other exercises where the commanding officer determines that (i) such possession would interfere with the conduct of such training or other exercises, (ii) such possession may result in mission impairment, or (iii) the member is unfit to carry a handgun.

C. The Governor or his designee may otherwise grant exemptions from the requirements of this chapter. To qualify for an exemption, the applying executive branch agency must show that an alternative policy consistent with the Commonwealth's policy against firearms in state offices is appropriate.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following:

1. Any State Police officer who is off duty;

2. Any retired State Police officer who has participated in annual firearms training and has qualified to the standards required of active law-enforcement officers in the Commonwealth, in accordance with § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia;

3. Any retired law-enforcement officer who has participated in annual firearms training, has qualified pursuant to § 18.2-308.016 C of the Code of Virginia, and is visiting a gun range owned or leased by the Commonwealth;

4. Any of the following employees authorized to carry a firearm while acting in the conduct of such employee's official duties:

a. A bail bondsman as defined in § 9.1-185 of the Code of Virginia;

b. An employee of the Department of Corrections or a state juvenile correctional facility;

c. An employee of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; or

d. An employee of the Department of Wildlife Resources;

5. Any individual carrying a weapon into a courthouse who is exempt under § 18.2-283.1 of the Code of Virginia;

6. Any property owned or operated by a public institution of higher education;

7. Any state park; or

8. Any magistrate acting in the conduct of the magistrate's official duties.