RICHMOND, Va. – At the end of the 2025 legislative session for the Virginia General Assembly, gun sense champions passed more than twenty gun safety measures, sending them to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk where he will have until March 24th to act on them. Following months of advocacy, the Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement applauding the leadership of gun sense majorities in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly. The General Assembly gaveled out just one day after a tragic shooting in Virginia Beach where two police officers were shot and killed during a traffic stop, marking the first time in 16 years that the Virginia Beach Police Department has lost an officer in a line-of-duty shooting.
“We know that progress is incremental, but that every step forward saves lives. That’s why we are so grateful to our gun sense lawmakers in Virginia for staying in this fight with us,” said Mike Fox, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “From bills to increase and promote secure firearm storage, to a prohibition on rapid fire devices, our lawmakers have passed many gun safety bills this session, each of which will have a real impact on our communities. Last year, Governor Youngkin could not ignore our demands – and we’re going to make it clear that this year, he can’t either.”
“It’s clear what young people – future voters – want: to be free from gun violence,” said Sofia Posadas, a volunteer with the University of Virginia Students Demand Action chapter. “These gun safety measures will help us achieve that. We’re counting on Governor Youngkin to get us there.”
Some of the gun safety measures that are headed to Governor Youngkin’s Desk include:
- HB 1678 / SB 1048, which would require school boards to develop a notification policy on the importance of securely storing certain items including firearms,
- HB 2595 / SB 1389, which would broaden eligible retailers for the secure firearm storage tax credit,
- HB 1607 / SB 1181, which would prohibit future sales and purchases of assault weapons,
- SB 881, which would prohibit untraceable “ghost guns,” which are do-it-yourself, homemade guns assembled using unfinished, unserialized core parts and kits that can be acquired without a background check,
- HB 1960 / SB 744, which would strengthen Virginia’s prohibitions on possession of firearms by domestic abusers,
- HB 1660 / SB 886, which would expand Virginia’s prohibition on bump stocks and Glock switches to prohibit all forms of rapid fire devices,
- SB 1134, which would require firearms to be stored securely around children or people who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms,
- HB 1608 / SB 1450 which would allow victims of gun violence to hold bad actors in the gun industry accountable when their misconduct harms Virginians.
At the start of this session, gun safety advocates with Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held a rally at the statehouse alongside former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, urging lawmakers to continue their fight from last legislative session to enact stronger gun safety laws. After today, for the second year in a row, gun sense champions in the General Assembly have passed more than twenty gun violence prevention measures through both chambers, sending them to Governor Youngkin’s desk. Advocates are prepared and ready to elect gun sense champions up and down the ballot in Virginia come November.
In an average year in Virginia, 1,200 people die by guns and 1,624 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Virginia $14.2 billion each year, of which $288.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Virginia is available here.
To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please don’t hesitate to reach out.