The Pittsylvania County School Board Tuesday night held a discussion on firearms on school property. In November the board passed a resolution stating that firearms can’t be brought to the School Board central office at 39 Bank Street in Chatham.

The board got clarification from Commonwealth Attorney, Bryan Haskins, on the difference between laws on guns on school grounds and buildings like the school board office. Haskins stated that carrying a firearm to school grounds like a high school, can be charged as a Class 6 felony, but the laws for other school buildings are different and there needs to be notice given that they aren’t allowed. 

“What you’re saying you want to do is say no guns in this building for example, then you need to have a sign that would give people notice if you want me to be able to prosecute them,” said Haskins, “that says guns are not allowed in this building, if you enter this building with a firearm then you are subject to being prosecuted for trespassing.”

Trespassing is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. The board ultimately decided to postpone the implantation of the resolution until at least their March meeting.