RICHMOND, V.A. – Today, the Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after the Virginia Senate officially passed a comprehensive package of five priority gun violence prevention bills. Coming just days after the House of Delegates passed nearly identical measures, today’s Senate victory marks a unified commitment to public safety, signaling that both chambers of the General Assembly are in lockstep working to deliver meaningful gun safety laws this session. The bills now head to the House.
“The passage of these five life-saving bills isn’t just a legislative victory; it’s a testament to the unstoppable power of grassroots advocacy,” said Kelly Johnson, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action. “For years, we have been doing the heavy lifting—knocking on doors, meeting with lawmakers, and even working to get our own volunteers elected into office. Today’s victory in the Senate is a powerful reminder that the voices of survivors and advocates are finally louder than the gun lobby.”
“We are witnessing a moment in Virginia where the safety of students is being put ahead of the gun lobby’s interests,” said Hattie Friedman, leader of the First Colonial High School Students Demand Action group. “Seeing the Senate advance these bills shows that our voices are being heard across the entire Capitol. We’ve grown up in a culture of fear, but today’s votes are a commitment to building a safer future. We are one step closer to the finish line, and we aren’t stopping until the Governor has her pen in hand.”
Five priority bills passed in the Senate today include:
- Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines Sale Ban (SB749): Banning the sale of all assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
- Industry Accountability (SB27): Ensuring that bad actors in the firearm industry (manufacturers, dealers, etc.) can be held accountable for harms they cause and take steps to prevent gun trafficking, straw purchases, and theft.
- Ghost Guns (SB323): Closing loopholes by requiring serialization and background checks for key firearm components that can be acquired without a background check or made with a 3D printer.
- Domestic Violence Firearm Removal (SB38): Establishing a clear process for the removal of firearms from individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes.
- Closing the Dating Partner Loophole (SB160): Ensuring all domestic abusers are held to the same standards and that violent abusers are disarmed, whether they are a spouse or a dating partner.
Moms Demand Action volunteers represent 20% of the House Democratic Majority, and Virginia is proud to be led by Governor Abigail Spanberger, also a former Moms Demand Action volunteer. This historic level of representation has cemented gun safety as a top-tier legislative priority, ensuring that the voices of survivors and advocates are at the center of the lawmaking process.
In an average year in Virginia, 1,1226 people die by guns and 1,624 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Virginia $14.2 billion each year, of which $288.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Virginia is available here.