The Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced strong gun safety legislation, including legislation to close dangerous gaps in Virginia’s background check laws and empower law enforcement to seek extreme risk protection orders when an individual exhibits dangerous warning signs. The background check legislation will go to a conference committee before being voted on again in both the House and Senate. The extreme risk legislation will receive a vote on final passage this week, and if passed would go next to the governor’s desk.
“Virginians are fed up with inaction on gun violence, and this vote reminds us we finally have lawmakers who will do something about this crisis,” said Jennifer Herrera, volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’ve seen real momentum on common-sense gun safety this session, and we’re grateful to lawmakers for continuing to advance bills that will save lives.”
In November, gun safety was the number one issue for voters in Virginia and both chambers flipped to gun sense majorities — even in the NRA’s own backyard. Recent polling has continued to show that a bipartisan majority of Virginians favor gun safety laws, with large majorities supporting background checks and red flag laws.
On the first day of the 2020 legislative session, the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action held their annual advocacy day and had more than 70 meetings with lawmakers to show their support. In January, as gun extremists descended on Richmond, Virginia to intimidate lawmakers, Moms Demand Action held a phone bank to support lawmakers who have stood up for common-sense gun safety policies. More than 100 volunteers with Moms Demand Action from Virginia and 23 states made nearly 3,000 calls that day alone.
Moms Demand Action Responds to Virginia Senate Committee Advancing Gun Safety Legislation
February 24, 2020
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