The Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding the Virginia Senate for passing, by a bipartisan vote, legislation that would meaningfully address the fastest growing gun safety threat across Virginia. The bill, SB 310, would prohibit the sale or possession of the parts used to build ghost guns throughout the Commonwealth. Ghost guns are unserialized, untraceable, do-it-yourself homemade firearms made from easy-to-get building blocks that can be purchased online with no background check. Moms Demand Action volunteers led advocacy in support of the bill, sending over 500 emails to Senate lawmakers urging the passage of SB 310. The bill will now be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.
“Ghost guns pose an ever-increasing threat to the safety of communities across the Commonwealth, and stopping them in their tracks should be a top priority as we continue to combat Virginia’s gun violence crisis,” said Brigette Russell, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We are extremely grateful to the Senate for heeding the call to pass this important piece of bipartisan legislation, and we strongly urge the House of Delegates to follow suit and put the protection of Virginians first.”
In an average year, 1,065 people die by guns in Virginia, and 2,050 more are wounded. Gun violence costs Virginia $7.1 billion each year, of which $292.5 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Virginia is available here.
If you would like to request an interview with a member of Virginia Moms Demand Action, please do not hesitate to reach out.