First Monday and Every Monday
February 7, 2006

Virginia Lawmaker Accidentally Discharges Gun in General Assembly Office

A Virginia lawmaker accidentally discharged his handgun inside his General Assembly office around 9:15 am on Jan. 26. Del. John S. “Jack” Reid (R) has a permit to carry concealed weapons and regularly brings his gun to the legislative session. The gun discharged as Reid was removing the ammunition magazine from the gun. No one was hurt in the incident.

Ironically, the bullet struck a bulletproof vest that was hanging on the back of the closed office door. The vest was a “gag gift” from the sheriff of Henrico County, the Richard suburb where Reid lives.

If it had not been for the vest, the .38-caliber bullet could have passed through the door and hit someone. At that time, the nine-story General Assembly building was filled with lawmakers, staff, lobbyists, reporters, and the general public.

Reid was at a loss to explain how an experienced gun owner could discharge a firearm in a busy office building at the State Capitol complex.

Said Virginia Governor, Timothy M. Kaine, “It does raise a question of safety. You’ve got Boy Scout groups and pages and all kinds of folks walking around in the halls.” 

Under Virginia law, conceal carry permit holders are allowed to bring firearms into government buildings on Capitol Square, including the State Capitol Building.

The State of Iowa recognized the danger from firearms in government buildings by prohibiting the carrying of weapons at the State Capitol Building, except for law enforcement officers.