From the VA House Democratic Caucus:
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| RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a slate of common-sense gun safety bills backed by House Democrats – legislation aimed at preventing gun violence to save lives and promote responsible firearm practices.
House Democrats advanced bills to address ghost guns, require safer storage where minors are present, strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors, reduce theft-driven gun trafficking, and crack down on weapons of war in our communities. Bills passed by the House include: HB 21 (Del. Dan Helmer) Holds the firearm industry to standards of responsible conduct and creates civil accountability. HB 217 (Del. Dan Helmer) Prohibits the importation, sale, manufacture, purchase, and transfer of assault firearms and restricts certain ammunition feeding devices, with defined exemptions for military and law enforcement in the performance of official duties, and other narrow exceptions. Del. Dan Helmer: “You can sue a toy manufacturer who irresponsibly builds toy guns, but not a gun manufacturer who irresponsibly makes the real thing. That makes Virginians less safe, and HB 21 fixes it.” “HB 217 draws a clear line: weapons of war – similar to the ones I carried in Afghanistan – don’t belong in our neighborhoods, our classrooms, or our communities. These bills are about preventing violence, saving lives, and putting public safety first.” HB 40 (Del. Marcus Simon) Cracks down on ghost guns and undetectable firearms. Del. Marcus Simon: “Ghost guns and undetectable firearms are a growing threat because they’re built to evade common-sense safeguards — no serial number, no accountability, and too often no way to trace them after a crime. HB 40 is about keeping these illegal weapons off our streets and giving law enforcement the tools they need to protect the public.” HB 93 (Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker) Keeps illegal guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers. Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker: “We must protect survivors of domestic violence who tell us that their abusers still have access to firearms, despite a legal requirement to relinquish access. HB93 closes a dangerous loophole and gives law enforcement a mechanism to ensure that convicted domestic abusers do not have access to illegal guns.” HB 110 (Del. Amy Laufer) Reduces firearm theft from cars by creating a civil penalty for leaving a visible handgun in an unattended motor vehicle, and allows removal for safekeeping. Del. Amy Laufer: “Too many guns used in crimes started as guns stolen from cars. HB 110 is a simple, common-sense step: if you leave a handgun unattended in your vehicle, it shouldn’t be sitting out in plain view. This bill helps prevent theft and keeps our communities safer.” HB 229 (Del. Phil Hernandez) Prohibits firearms and other dangerous weapons inside hospitals that provide mental health or developmental services. Del. Phil Hernandez: “Hospitals that provide mental health and developmental services should be places of care and stability – not fear. HB 229 sets clear rules to keep firearms and other dangerous weapons out of these sensitive medical settings, protecting patients, staff, and families.” HB 626 (Del. Katrina Callsen) Tightens exemptions for carrying firearms or explosives in certain state-owned buildings connected to public higher education. Del. Katrina Callsen: “Campuses and schools should be places of learning — not fear. HB 626 sets clear, common-sense rules to keep weapons out of higher education buildings and close loopholes that put students and staff at risk.” HB 871 (Del. Mark Downey) Requires safe firearm storage in residences where minors or prohibited individuals are present. Del. Mark Downey: “Safe storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent tragedies – suicide, accidental shootings, youth access, and firearms getting into the hands of people who legally shouldn’t have them. HB 871 is about responsible ownership and protecting kids and families.” |
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House of Delegates Passes Helmer’s Assault Weapons Ban
Bill has Twice Passed the House of Delegates and Senate & Vetoed by Gov. Youngkin
FAIRFAX – Today, the Virginia House of Delegates passed an assault weapons ban bill introduced by Delegate Dan Helmer. Helmer, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, has successfully passed similar bills in past sessions out of both the House and the Senate, only for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to veto the legislation. Helmer released the following statement:
“Weapons similar to those that I carried fighting for our country overseas have no place in our schools, in our churches, and on our streets. Virginians have been on the precipice of finally banning these dangerous weapons before – but this time, we have a Governor who has actually served in law enforcement and understands what it means to protect our neighborhoods.
“Last November, Virginians elected a majority focused on delivering a safer, more affordable Virginia. We are delivering on that promise.”
You can read the full text of Helmer’s bill here. Helmer’s bill will prohibit future sales, purchases, and transfers of assault weapons and bans high capacity magazines. Ten states currently prohibit assault weapons, including Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. This bill would ban trafficking in the kinds of weapons responsible for 9 of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in American history.
Research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence nonprofit, has found that:
- Nine of the 10 deadliest U.S. mass shootings have been carried out with assault weapons, including the Las Vegas, Orlando, El Paso, Sutherland Springs, San Bernardino, Parkland, Dayton, and Uvalde shootings.
- Between 2009 and 2020, when assault weapons were used in a mass shooting, 6 times as many people were shot, twice as many people were killed, and 22 times as many people were wounded per incident on average, compared to mass shootings where assault weapons were not used.
- In shootings where assault weapons or high capacity magazines are used, 155% more people are shot, and 47% more people are killed.
- Assault weapons bans work: while the 1994 federal ban was in effect, gun massacres (defined as six or more people shot and killed) fell by 37%, and the number of people dying from gun massacres declined by 43%.
- Researchers estimate that if we still had a federal assault weapons ban, we would see 70% fewer mass shooting deaths.
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