"As supporters and opponents of gun control offer competing bills in the General Assembly, local governments and restaurant owners across Northern Virginia are bracing for changes that some fear could loosen restrictions on bringing weapons into their facilities.

Among measures under consideration are a Senate bill that would strip localities such as Alexandria of their ability to prohibit weapons in public buildings and a House bill that would eliminate a law barring people from carrying concealed handguns in restaurants that serve alcohol.

On the opposite side of the gun control debate, Fairfax County wants permission from the General Assembly to ban guns from county buildings. Despite a compromise to appease gun enthusiasts and heightened public safety concerns since Sept. 11, however, county officials and legislators hold out little hope this year of reversing a six-year string of defeats.

Fairfax's hopes are riding on Senate Bill 424, introduced by Sen. Leslie L. Byrne (D-Fairfax) and currently before the Courts of Justice Committee. It would allow Fairfax to adopt an ordinance prohibiting possession of dangerous weapons, including firearms, on county property.

In contrast to previous versions, however, this year's bill would exempt, 'any person who holds a valid concealed weapons permit' and law enforcement officers.

Already dead in the House of Delegates is a similar gun-control bill, HB 1017, sponsored by Del. James M. Scott (D-Fairfax) that contains no such exemption.

'I think in the Senate we have a good chance,' Byrne said. 'The question is the House, since they're basically going in the opposite direction.' Citing the voting record of the key House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, she added, 'Anything with any kind of gun safety component to it is pretty much dead in the House.'

Fairfax County Board Chairman Katherine K. Hanley (D) said, 'We made some modifications to help passage.' But county officials noted that a previous bill failed to pass.

'After September 11, 1 think everyone has to reexamine their precepts,' Byrne said. 'I think that having no rules about when you can carry firearms into municipal buildings flies in the face of what we now know. And I hope any fair-minded organization would feel that way.'

Virginia law prohibits firearms and other dangerous weapons in places of worship, courthouses and schools, and private property owners are allowed to ban such weapons from their own property, even when a person has a concealed handgun permit.

The law also generally bars localities such as Fairfax County from regulating firearms. The county circuit court has ruled that Fairfax cannot legally prevent people from taking firearms into county government buildings.

'If you choose to strap an M-16 on your back and walk into the [Government Center], there's nothing we could do about it,' said County Executive Anthony H. Griffin.

The same is true at the state Capitol and the General Assembly, said Capitol Police Chief George Mason. There is no law against carrying a legal weapon openly or a concealed handgun with a permit into the Capitol or the legislature, he said.

Mason declined to express an opinion about HB 958, which was introduced by Del. James R. Almand (D-Arlington) and would prohibit bringing dangerous weapons into the state Capitol or legislative buildings. The bill has been shelved in a subcommittee of the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, officials in Richmond said.

Still alive is SB 593, which was introduced by Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R-Augusta), and would bar localities from regulating firearms. A similar measure was narrowly defeated last year.

'We're vigorously opposing the legislation,' said Alexandria Mayor Kerry J. Donley (D). Alexandria has prevailed in court challenges to its authority to prohibit weapons in public buildings. Still, Donley expressed concern that the bill might pass.

If it does, he said he hopes that Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) would veto it.

Although the bill is aimed primarily at cities that operate under their own charters, the Virginia Municipal League, which represents the state's 208 counties and cities, opposes it. The league has said such legislation might be used to outlaw local personnel regulations that prohibit county employees from bringing weapons to work, officials said.

Another measure still under consideration is HB 952, which would allow people to carry concealed handguns into restaurants, clubs or bars, as long as they aren't intoxicated and don't drink on the premises.

A leading opponent is the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, whose 500 members include about 100 restaurants in Northern Virginia." (William Branigan, Virginia Extra, The Washington Post , February 7, 2002)