Thanks to Delegate Mark Cole who made some inquiries into how this is being implemented.
From a post on his Facebook page:
"Technically, it does apply to rest areas, but the State Police said that they would only enforce it if signs prohibiting guns are posted. If they are posted and someone is found at a rest area with a gun, they will be told to leave. If they do not leave, they would be arrested for trespassing."
Of course this is really a horrible way to run a government. "It's illegal, but only if we decide to tell you it's illegal." I hope this can be used to find enough Democrat Senators to override the certain veto of the State Entity preemption bill (
HB 1096). Sadly, it did not pass the House with a veto-proof margin. (63-35 officially, but 64-34 if you read the comments - still not enough.)
[ETA: There does not seem to be any realistic hope of being able to override the veto on this bill - even IF it passes the Senate.]
Regarding the state highways,
the Executive Order is published on the Governor's web page. The pertinent paragraphs read:
VI. Banning Firearms in State Government Buildings
We must take every precaution to protect our citizens and state employees from gun violence. We cannot wait until a tragedy occurs to decide to address it. Prevention requires us to address areas of concern before they are realized. Accordingly, I hereby declare that it is the policy of the Commonwealth that open carry of firearms shall be prohibited in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, unless held by law enforcement, authorized security, or military personnel authorized to carry firearms in accordance with their duties. Within 30 days of the date of this Executive Order, the Director of the Department of General Services (DGS) shall issue guidance prohibiting carrying weapons openly in offices occupied by executive branch agencies.
I further order the Director of DGS, within 30 days of the date of this Executive Order, to propose regulations to ban the carrying of concealed weapons in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, unless held by law enforcement, authorized security, or military personnel authorized to carry firearms in accordance with their duties.
I don't see anything indicating that the order would apply to the state highways.
TFred