House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee Votes Against Gun Legislation Needed for Public Safety
The Virginia House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 failed to pass common-sense gun legislation that would keep guns out of dangerous hands — including domestic abusers and criminals —throughout the Commonwealth. HB 1923, a bill that would have required criminal background checks for all guns sales and HB 2085, a bill that would have protected women by prohibiting individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from possessing a firearm, both failed to receive enough votes to move ahead in the state legislature.
Earlier this week, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee also failed to pass SB 768, a background check bill similar to the current House version, HB 1923. In response to this activity, the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the statement below:
“The Virginia legislature has put the interests of the gun lobby ahead of the safety of Virginians by failing to pass common-sense legislation that would keep guns out of dangerous hands,” said Gena Reeder, a volunteer with the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Requiring background checks on all gun sales and prohibiting convicted domestic abusers from possessing guns would have helped protect Virginians while also respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “It’s time Virginia’s elected leaders work toward stemming the tide of gun violence we know all too well – the safety and livelihood of Virginians depend on it.”
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand