Roanoke came up against the gun lobby back in 1995, and lost, when it asked the General Assembly for permission to amend its charter so the city could ban handguns in city parks. The bill died in the House of Delegates -- though Virginia bans guns in state parks.
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Localities, though, are left powerless to make common-sense public safety rules. If Richmond insists on keeping its tight hold, it should exercise more control.
A ban on guns in all parks in the state, rather than just state parks, for instance, would be clear.