Handgun Owner Forced Out at Workhouse Fireworks Event

Lorton's Workhouse Arts Center has apologized for asking an armed woman to leave the property at its annual fireworks show Sat., July 6. 

The popular annual event was attended by over 2,500 visitors on Saturday, but the experience of one attendee led to a complaint and apology playing out on the Lorton Patch Facebook page.

See: Fireworks at the Workhouse Arts Center

Mount Vernon's Tess Ailshire was at the event with her husband and son. She was also openly carrying a Bersa 9mm.  

"I got up to get a sno cone and went back to sit down," Ailshire told Patch. "I noticed that there was staff walking around like they were looking for someone. I joked with my husband that they were looking for me." 

Ailshire was asked to leave the property. 

"I just want them to tell me that it's not going to happen again, because it's county-funded, and because of state preemptive laws they can not prevent firearms out there," she said. 

High-profile public shootings in recent years has elevated the debate over gun access. Virginia law allows individuals to carry handguns in public.

John Mason, President and CEO of the Workhouse, issued this apology on the Lorton Patch Facebook page: 

"On behalf of the Lorton Arts Foundation, Inc., I am using this method (as I do not have access to the "open carry" forum) to extend our apologies for having inappropriately stated that weapons are not permitted on the Workhouse Arts Center campus. Our policy is to be consistent with Commonwealth of Virginia law, which under the circumstances would not have prohibited you from carrying a weapon last Saturday evening. Would appreciate your sharing this note with "open carry" forum so all interested understand that I have acknowledged a mistake."

Northern Virginia was also in the national spotlight on gun carrying rules in March. Prince William County Police Officers carrying guns were refused service at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Manassas because of the chain's rule against weapons. The restaurant manager later apologized for the incident.

Tell us in the comments what you think about gun laws in Virginia.