Henrico supervisors delay consideration of ordinance to ban firearms

Henrico supervisors Tuesday removed from their agenda a proposed ordinance that would have banned firearms, ammunition and components from all county-owned and operated facilities, following a request from county administrators who want more time to consider feedback about the plan.

The ordinance would prohibit everyone, including people concealed permit holders, from bringing firearms into county facilities and those used or controlled by entities created by the county (such as the new Henrico Sports and Events Center). Certain exemptions would exist for police, military and security officers, as well as for participants in specific events, such as sports competitions that may involve firearms.

“Staff would like to withdraw this item to allow additional time to consider feedback that’s been received by the county manager’s office,” Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas told the board, in recommending that the item be removed Tuesday.

The Virginia Citizens Defense League, which advocates for the right to bear arms, had mobilized a number of its members and supporters in opposition of the plans, many of whom flooded county officials and supervisors with emails and calls urging the denial of the ordinance. Several dozen people packed the Board of Supervisors Room at the county’s western government center Tuesday prepared to speak about the matter.

The board did not schedule another date on which it might consider the ordinance, nor did it immediately indicate whether it intends to do so.