Virginia Moms Condemn House Subcommittee’s Failure to Pass Common-Sense Gun Legislation to Help Keep Guns Out of Dangerous Hands

Richmond, VA – Today, the Virginia House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 failed to pass common-sense gun legislation that would keep guns out of dangerous hands — including domestic abusers and criminals — throughout the Commonwealth. HB 1923, a bill that would have required criminal background checks for all guns sales and HB 2085, a bill that would have protected women by prohibiting individuals convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence from possessing a firearm, both failed to receive enough votes to move ahead in the state legislature.

Earlier this week, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee also failed to pass SB 768, a background check bill similar to the current House version, HB 1923. In response to this activity, the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America released the statement below:

“The Virginia legislature has put the interests of the gun lobby ahead of the safety of Virginians by failing to pass common-sense legislation that would keep guns out of dangerous hands,” said Gena Reeder, a volunteer with the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Requiring background checks on all gun sales and prohibiting convicted domestic abusers from possessing guns would have helped protect Virginians while also respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. “It’s time Virginia’s elected leaders work toward stemming the tide of gun violence we know all too well – the safety and livelihood of Virginians depend on it.”