Guns Banned At Non-School Facilities In Fairfax County Public Schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Thursday night, the Fairfax County School Board unanimously voted to ban guns on non-school property, supplementing a ban in place at schools.

Guns have already been banned on school grounds by the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1995 as well as Virginia code, which says individuals cannot knowingly possess a loaded or unsecured gun in school zones. The new policy reaffirmed the gun-free policy in school zones and added a ban to non-school facilities such as the Gatehouse Administration Center.

The new policy came from Providence District representative Karl Frisch and Springfield District representative Laura Jane Cohen. In February, the School Board has voted to develop a policy after a 2021 Virginia law gave school boards the authority to ban guns on non-school property.

"This policy is a continuation of our critical work to keep students and staff safe," said Frisch in a statement. "From requesting an audit of security practices and procedures to reviewing gun violence and suicide prevention curriculum, from encouraging the completion of our security vestibule program to notifying parents and guardians annually about their legal obligation to securely store their guns, this School Board takes gun violence prevention very seriously."

According to board documents, signage will be installed to inform about the policy. The school district website will also provide information about the policy, and notice will be provided in an annual gun violence prevention communication to guardians.

Similarly, when a Virginia law gave localities authority to ban guns on their property, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors banned guns in its facilities and parks.