As Delegate, Ayala Helped Pass Landmark Gun Safety Legislation, Including Expanding Background Checks to All Gun Sales
Ayala, a Gun Violence Survivor Endorsed by Everytown, Is Running Against An A-Rated, Gun Lobby-Endorsed Extremist
WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor and Everytown for Gun Safety today announced a new $200,000+ campaign highlighting Del. Ayala’s record and commitment to gun violence prevention. The ad will run on TV, digital and radio throughout the state and features Delegate Ayala’s own story as a gun violence survivor – as her father was shot and killed when she was just two years old.
“As someone whose life has been touched by gun violence, I know firsthand the toll this kind of senseless loss takes mentally, physically, and emotionally,” said Delegate Hala Ayala, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. “That’s why, as a member of the House of Delegates, I’ve been a champion for common sense gun safety reform. This November, the progress Virginia has made to end gun violence is on the line. While my opponent would take Virginia backwards and undo all the progress we’ve made to build a safer Commonwealth, I’ll build on our work in the General Assembly and continue to fight for gun safety reforms as Lieutenant Governor.”
“When it comes to gun safety, the choice for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor couldn’t be clearer: Hala Ayala, who helped pass landmark gun safety laws, or Winsome Sears, who uses an assault rifle as a PR prop,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Hala Ayala knows the devastating toll of gun violence firsthand, and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with her, as she makes gun safety a central part of her campaign.”
Delegate Ayala’s opponent, Winsome Sears, is an A-rated gun lobby-endorsed extremist, whose campaign literature and yard signs featured her holding an assault rifle. On the other hand, Delegate Ayala is running on a strong gun safety platform, pledging to prohibit deadly, untraceable ghost guns in Virginia and to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. Delegate Ayala was also a key leader in helping pass a suite of gun safety reforms in Virginia, including landmark legislation to require background checks on all gun sales, after gun sense majorities took office thanks in part to major investments by Everytown. Today’s announcement comes as part of Everytown’s $1.8 million spending commitment for Virginia’s 2021 election.
WATCH “FATHER” HERE
TRANSCRIPT
Ayala: It started out as a regular night. Dad was playing cards. But in an instant, my life was turned upside down by a gun.
Ayala: I was two years old when my father was murdered, so taking on gun violence is personal to me, just like it is for far too many families.
Ayala: In Richmond, I expanded background checks and kept guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. Because no one should ever face this devastating crisis.