Franklin Sherman PTA Resolution in Support of Gun Free School Zone

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