(HB454)<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 454, which criminalizes an individual’s possession
of a firearm in a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher
education.</p>

</ul><ul><p>While I am committed to ensuring well-secured and safe college
campuses in Virginia, this legislation does not adequately consider the
numerous variations in Virginia's diverse geographic, cultural, and societal
norms across different regions of the Commonwealth. </p>

</ul><ul><p>The Boards of Visitors at Virginia's institutions of higher
education already have the authority to regulate their respective campuses,
including implementing firearms prohibitions. This allows for consideration of
the differences across regions and students' unique circumstances.</p>

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

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