Senator Warner Previously Voted in Favor of Similar Legislation in Congress in 2009 and 2013; Virginia Moms Demand Action Volunteers Have Emailed, Called and Visited Senator Warner’s Office to Urge Him to Oppose this Legislation
WASHINGTON – Everytown for Gun Safety and the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, today applauded Senator Mark Warner’s public statements late yesterday in opposition to “Concealed Carry Reciprocity” – the NRA’s top legislative priority.
“Concealed Carry Reciprocity” legislation would gut our nation’s gun laws by forcing states to recognize the concealed carry standards of every other state, no matter how low – or nonexistent – the standards are. Earlier this year, gun lobby-backed legislation that would have dismantled Virginia’s concealed carry permitting system was defeated in the statehouse.
Senator Warner voted in support of similar legislation in 2009 and 2013. In tweets late yesterday, Senator Warner stated that he “simply cannot support S.446, which would override states’ concealed carry gun permitting laws” and pointed to the fact that he’s “listened to Virginians whose families have been torn apart by gun violence. Enough is enough. This tragic violence has to end.” His public opposition to “Concealed Carry Reciprocity” yesterday – a shift from his previous positions – came after meeting with gun safety advocates and survivors yesterday, and after months of Virginia Moms Demand Action volunteers urging him to oppose this dangerous policy.
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT, EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“Senator Warner reaffirmed his commitment to public safety by voicing his opposition to ‘Concealed Carry Reciprocity’ – legislation that is the gun lobby’s dream and a nightmare for public safety. This legislation does not create a national standard for who can carry guns in public. It would actually make the weakest link the law of the land – overriding Virginia’s existing permitting requirements. Senator Warner recognizes that a state like Virginia can reject the gun lobby’s vision for guns everywhere while also respecting the Second Amendment.”
STATEMENT FROM JENNIFER HERRERA, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER FOR THE VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA, PART OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“Virginia Moms Demand Action volunteers applaud gun safety champion Senator Mark Warner for opposing ‘Concealed Carry Reciprocity’ legislation. Senator Warner’s position reflects exactly what can happen when constituents make their voices heard to their elected leaders. For months, gun safety advocates and gun violence survivors have urged Senator Warner to take a stand for the safety of our families and communities by rejecting this dangerous and chaotic policy. We’re thrilled that Senator Warner listened to our concerns and urge other members of the Virginia delegation to take note of his leadership.”
Similar legislation has been defeated in Congress in 2009, 2011 and 2013. Last month, Everytown and Moms Demand Action announced a full-force campaign aimed at once again defeating “Concealed Carry Reciprocity”, including activating our 50-state grassroots network of more than three million supporters to hold their elected officials accountable – and investing financially in this long-term battle all the way through to the 2018 elections and beyond. In addition, for the first time in organizational history, Everytown and Moms Demand Action will score any Congressional vote on “Concealed Carry Reciprocity.”