Proposed Ordinance Would Prohibit the Carrying of any Firearm Within any City-Owned Building, Park or Recreation or Community Facility
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement praising Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney for introducing a gun violence prevention ordinance in the Richmond City Council to prohibit guns in parks and other municipal buildings and facilities. The Mayor also called upon the Virginia General Assembly to amend the Commonwealth’s preemption law.
“We commend Mayor Stoney for responding to the recent tragedy in Virginia Beach with action,” said Courtney Champion, a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “This first step towards keeping guns out of our city’s most sensitive places put us closer to our goal of ending gun violence in our community. We urge state lawmakers to untie the hands of our local officials so we can make this ordinance a reality.”
Virginia’s preemption law currently prohibits cities and towns from passing or enforcing this type of local public safety law. If passed, the ordinance would only take effect if and when the General Assembly of Virginia changes that law and gives cities the power to adopt local gun safety laws like this one to keep municipalities safe.
