Franklin Sherman Elementary School PTA Resolution in Support of Gun Store Free School Zone The Franklin Sherman Elementary School (“FSES”) PTA promotes a safe learning environment for the children, teachers and staff of FSES. Such an environment cannot coexist with a gun store in close proximity to FSES and under current Virginia gun law. WHEREAS, NOVA Firearms has opened a gun store (the “Gun Store”) at 1389 Chain Bridge Road selling “200-300 of the most popular Class 1 & Class 3 firearms,” with a stated goal of attracting gun purchasers from the Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC area; WHEREAS, the property upon which the Gun Store is located abuts the property of FSES, separated only by a simple chain link fence, and is approximately 100 feet away from the school building itself; WHEREAS, The Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act permits the sale of firearms, ammunition and accessories, as well as, the carrying and transportation of loaded firearms, on private property that is within a school zone and Virginia state law expressly prohibits local government from keeping gun stores away from schools, but allows the open carry of guns in public areas; WHEREAS, schools across the country have been the scene of large-scale shooting incidents, with tragic loss of life; WHERAS, The threat of an armed-intruder is taken so seriously, that Fairfax County Public Schools conducts regular emergency drills and will “lockdown” a school if a threat is detected; WHEREAS, The Gun Store’s proximity to the school and the Virginia open carry gun law, makes it substantially more difficult for officials to effectively assess a dangerous threat and act accordingly to protect the students, teachers and staff; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the FSES PTA supports a gun store free school zone within 1,000 feet of the school property and will act accordingly to relocate the Gun Store an appropriate distance from the school to provide a safe learning environment for students, families, and staff. Approved by a majority vote of the general membership of the FSES PTA at a meeting of its membership held on October 14, 2015. FRANKLIN SHERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA