(HB175)<font size=-1>
<p>GOVERNOR'S VETO</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<ul><p>Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of
Virginia, I veto House Bill 175, prohibiting the carrying of assault firearms
in public areas.</p>

</ul><ul><p>Current law already prohibits brandishing a firearm in a manner
that reasonably induces fear in another person or holding a firearm in a public
place that creates a reasonable fear of violence.</p>

</ul><ul><p>The proposed legislation prohibits carrying a broad category of
commonly used firearms in various public spaces, including streets, roads,
sidewalks, parks, and other public areas. Such a prohibition is
unconstitutional as it attempts to restrict widely embraced firearms used for
lawful purposes like self-defense.</p>

</ul><ul><p>Accordingly, I veto this bill. &nbsp;</p>

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