imported post
I think preemption strictly trumps these rules. There are 2 principles at play in our favor.
1: By statute, 15.2-915 prohibits (generally) local firearms ordinance enforcement.
2: Virginia is a "Dillon rule" state meaning that the localities are only permitted to enact and enforce those laws, ordinances and regulations that the Commonwealth permits them to enact and enforce.
For example, Their rules could say something like: Due to the high rate of sickle cell anemia among negroes, those persons who are negroes or have some negro ancestryare strictly prohibited from attending the festival.
While Alexandria city might be stupid enough to enact suchrules for the festival the Commonwealth having been duly spanked in federal court, more than once, is not.
The same principle applies to the no weapons policy. No matter what reasoning they try to attach to it, since they don't have authority to ban weapons, they cannot grant that authority on city lands.
I called them last year andsaid "hey, my wife carries agun, howshould she handle the bagsearch?" They were apoplectic. Eventually I was speaking with some PD SGT. I pushed them and said "no, she won't leave it at home, it's her decision to carry it, not yours. Are you leaving your gun at home Sergeant? "No"... Well, 15.2-915 says no local firearms ordinances. Then I got the why do you need to carry a gun interview.
I started with, first of all, I'm asking for my wife, not me. Second of all, that's none of your business, third, why do you carry a gun, UK police don't need them and neither do you. <silence> "well, we're asking you not to bring guns"
No, but thanks for the info.