More than four years after banning the open carry of firearms on city property, Newport News voted Tuesday to prohibit them altogether in buildings owned by the locality.
Councilmembers split six to one in support of the ordinance. Those in support said the decision was a proactive move to keep employees and residents safe.
“This ordinance also sets up for our public buildings to have metal detectors,” said Councilman Cleon Long.
Gun rights activists called the move unconstitutional, and vowed to pursue legal action to strike down the ordinance and similar ones like it around the Commonwealth.
“Now they’re no better than the other 17 localities that have done this kind of stuff,” said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. “I’m hoping we’ll strike this down (statewide) at some point by going to a higher court.”
The ordinance prohibits bringing guns, gun components or ammunition into any Newport News building used for governmental purposes, as well as city-operated community and recreation centers.
The same goes for buildings owned by authorities or other local entities created or controlled by Newport News. In buildings used, but not owned, by the city, the rule only applies to those parts of the building being used for a governmental purpose.
People found in violation of the ordinance can be fined $500. Police and security can also deny entry to city buildings to people carrying guns, gun components or ammunition, and direct them to leave or face trespassing charges.
Newport News in 2020 banned the open carry of guns on city-owned property, including in outdoor spaces. They were the first city in Hampton Roads to pass such an ordinance after the state made it legal for localities to do so.
Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, meaning cities only have the authority to regulate in areas explicitly permitted in state code.
Numerous opponents to the ordinance spoke during the meeting, many affiliated with the Virginia Citizens Defense league and wearing the group’s trademark orange stickers that read “Guns Save Lives.”
Michael Shapiro said more than just hampering his rights, he saw the decision as impacting his safety.
“I have people that might drop off cash to pay rent, and I have to take it places,” he said. “If I’m going to pay a bill at Waterworks, where do I put it? We’ve said we don’t want to leave weapons in vehicles where they can be stolen and used to commit crimes.”
Some speakers also said they felt the ordinance targeted concealed carry permit holders. Van Cleave said “it almost feels vindictive.”
Nearly 715,000 Virginians had concealed carry permits in 2023.
Councilman Cleon Long said the ordinance was crafted to prevent another shooting like the 2019 shooting in Virginia Beach. Opponents don’t think the ordinance, or heightened security on Newport News property, will be enough to ensure that.
“The criminals are completely unaffected by this,” said resident Graham Ferguson. “You restrict people’s access to defend themselves, and then you open them up (and) expose them to whatever walks down the street.”
Councilman John Eley was the sole member of council to oppose the ordinance, citing a belief that people should be allowed to carry a gun where they wish.
“This is a free country, this is America,” he said. “I want to be able to, if someone comes to me and attacks me, to defend myself and shoot him.”
Mayor Phil Jones said his prime focus is safety and security. He called for a Department of Homeland security audit on City Hall after a murder-suicide shooting at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News in May 2024.
“We are now living in a different time,” Jones said. “A different time in which multiple people on this council have received credible death threats, a time in which our soon-to-be president was almost assassinated.”
The marine-turned-mayor said it’s a must for the city to “harden the security infrastructure” based on the advice he received from Homeland Security.
“This is not an infringement of anyone’s right,” said Jones. “This is … taking steps to protect everyone.”
