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Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action Welcomes Brendon’s Law

March 5, 2014

o-BRENDON-MACKEY-facebookVirginia members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America laud the Virginia Legislature after passing House Bill 810, also known as Brendon’s Law, today. Brendon’s Law – named after Brendon Mackey, a 7-year-old boy killed as he was watching fireworks in Chesterfield County with his father last Fourth of July – will establish for the first time three categories of escalating penalties for celebratory gunfire. The bill, which received bi-partisan support, now heads to Governor McAuliffe’s desk for signature.

Sen. Henry Marsh said today, “Our original proposal asked for increased penalties on celebratory gunfire, but in its final form, Brendon’s Law is much broader. It increases penalties for all forms of reckless handling of a firearm.”

Gun violence claims the lives of eight children every day in the United States, and many of those deaths are the result of unintentional or negligent acts by irresponsible gun owners. Moms Demand Action is focused on reducing gun violence, which is becoming the leading cause of death for children in the United States. This bill was able to garner the support of conservative legislators and responsible gun owners, showing that public safety and responsible gun ownership are not partisan issues.

“This bill demonstrates that it is possible for legislators to work together to pass common-sense gun legislation in Virginia,” said Luisa Caro, Virginia chapter communications lead for Moms Demand Action. “During this legislative session, members of our chapter called, emailed, held Stroller Jams with their toddlers in tow, and met with legislators asking that they support this bill.”

Read the full press release

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