Attorney General Herring’s Package Seeks to Prohibit Anyone Convicted of a Hate Crime From Owning a Gun and Help Law Enforcement Prevent Deadly Hate Crimes
According to the Washington Post, Hate Crimes in Virginia Increased by 50 Percent Last Year
RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, applauds Attorney General Mark E. Herring for proposing a package of legislation to combat hate crimes and protect citizens from white-supremacist violence. Among other measures, the package would prevent anyone convicted of a hate crime from owning a gun and expand the state’s definition of a hate crime.
Herring cites last year’s deadly riot in Charlottesville as a driving force behind this legislative package. The white nationalist rally left one dead and 19 injured and reflects a rising tide of hate crimes across the country. A recent article in the Washington Post cites FBI data in reporting a nearly 50 percent increase in hate crimes in Virginia last year. Nationally, over 10,300 hate crimes involving a gun take place in an average year. The attorney general will hold roundtable discussions on the legislation throughout the state ahead of the legislative session in January.
STATEMENT FROM JENNIFER HERRERA, VOLUNTEER LEADER WITH THE VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“We are proud to support Attorney General Herring as he leads Virginia in the fight against violent hate crimes and gun violence. We trust our elected officials to find solutions to keep us safe, and that is exactly what Attorney General Herring is doing. We will keep fighting side by side with Attorney General Herring to protect vulnerable communities in our state from gun violence.”