[ad_1]
RICHMOND – Governor Ralph Northam (D) on Tuesday morning called for a special session of the General Assembly to consider a package of gun control bills following Friday's mass shooting in Virginia Beach.
"We must do more than give our thoughts and prayers," said Northam, who plans to bring lawmakers back to Richmond at the end of June. "We must give the Virginians the action they deserve."
Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark R. Herring, all Democrats, joined Northam at a press conference with other Democratic leaders to challenge the Republicans who control the government. General Assembly and have repeatedly stifled their efforts to consider any form of gun control. .
"It's time to act with determination," said Northam. "Let Virginia show the nation that we can respond to tragedy by taking decisive action."
Most of the gun control bills failed in previous sessions of the legislature, including those that would allow local governments to limit the number of guns in public buildings. require a universal background check, limit purchases to a handgun per month and allow the authorities to seize the weapons of a person deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others. Bills were usually murdered by a handful of Republican legislators on committees.
Northam said he hoped that the entire General Assembly would debate and vote on the bills.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam will speak at a press conference Friday in Virginia Beach, Virginia, about the shootings in a municipal building. (Kaitlin Mckeown / AP)
"These are common sense laws that we have introduced year after year," he said. "They have never been heard fairly (…). I hope that these common sense firearms safety laws reach the assembly and allow these people, elected by you, to speak up and vote. "
Northam said that while shootings are capturing public attention, more than 1,000 Virginians have been killed by guns in 2017 and the number of victims is continuing, including a 9-year-old girl who was shot dead during the shooting. a meal in Richmond on Memorial Day weekend.
A Republican top hinted on Monday that he was ready to tackle the issue, without however engaging in details. "I was in Virginia Beach yesterday and I think gun control should give rise to a constructive discussion about gun control," said Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Jr. (James City), according to a report from The Virginia Gazette newspaper has been confirmed by its spokesperson.
Norment was addressing about 80 protesters gathered in front of his office in Williamsburg. They chanted and held placards calling for gun control, citing the terrible events that took place on Friday, when an employee of the City of Virginia Beach shot dead 12 people in a municipal building.
But Norment, who voted against the ban on high-ammunition magazines this year, added by e-mail that none of the failed laws met the standards of "merit, practical application and effectiveness".
He told the crowd that he was expecting the General Assembly to reconsider the possibility of limiting the number of extended magazines, and one of the protesters left again full of money. ;hope.
"I think he was listening," said Lori Haas, director of the Virginia Coalition for Stopping Armed Violence, whose daughter was wounded in the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings, which made 32 dead. "This problem will not go away. It's politically volatile for Republicans. "
The subject is particularly sensitive in an election year when the 140 seats of the legislature are entered in the November ballot. Republicans have two-seat majorities in the Senate and the House of Delegates, and Democrats hope to generate more than usual participation in changing the balance of power.
Polls have shown that Virginians are increasingly supportive of tougher state firearms laws, which are among the most permissive in the country. A survey conducted in June 2017 by Quinnipiac University found that 91% of Virginians were in favor of background checks of all gun buyers, for example.
[In January, Virginia GOP killed bill to ban sales of large-capacity magazines]
After filming Virginia Tech, then Gov. Tim Kaine (D) commissioned a state study on firearms safety measures. But in some ways, Virginia has facilitated the acquisition of firearms since then. For example, a 1993 law limiting individuals to a purchase of handguns a month was repealed in 2012.
"We have strengthened the enforcement of some laws on firearms, but. . . When laws are as weak as in Virginia, it is even more difficult to ensure the security of our Commonwealth, "Herring said Monday.
[Republicans in Virginia kill ‘red flag’ bill endorsed by Trump administration]
On Sunday, Fairfax spoke in front of a church in Virginia Beach and called for similar measures.
"It's a time for us to pray, reflect, and act," Fairfax told New Hope Baptist Church. For "amens" and applause from the congregation, Fairfax said the state should not allow access to firearms that can "shoot and kill people on a large scale." . . You have my wish as lieutenant governor: the time has come for serious people to take serious action. "
Tuesday's event was the first time Northam, Fairfax and Herring had appeared together since the scandal of their political scandals in February.
The issue – as well as the need to comfort a mourning community – has brought the three executive leaders back into the limelight after several months, while they had kept a relatively low profile. Northam and Herring are under the fire of the blackface incidents of their youth, and Fairfax has denied two women's accusations that he sexually assaulted them in separate incidents in 2000 and 2004.
Senator Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria), who chairs a gun safety caucus, has endorsed measures to promote the safe storage of firearms, prevent children from have access to weapons and submit all sales to background checks.
"Every time a tragedy occurs, people wonder if this law or this law could have prevented it," Ebbin said. "We have to take an approach where we try at least. . . for a more global approach rather than simply reacting to an element of it. "
"We are simply trying to promote a responsible ownership culture of firearms. We are not trying to take everyone's weapons away, "Ebbin said.
Senator Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said that he was supportive of the increase in the age of gun purchase at age 21 and at the same time. prohibition of high-capacity magazines and military-style weapons.
Over the weekend, several Democrats turned to social media to say that Friday's shootout demonstrated the need to take control of the legislature this fall and lift the gun restrictions.
US Representative Jennifer Wexton (D), who represented Loudoun County in the state Senate until she won her seat at Congress last year, tweeted, "Shame on all members of the General Assembly who voted against," a bill banning large-capacity magazines. "The elections will be held in November and we must make sure that we return the House and the Senate," she wrote.
Republicans reacted angrily to this idea – no more than Norment, who told The Washington Post that it was "offensive, disrespectful and tasteless". . . [to] use a tragedy like this to promote a political agenda. "
Despite signals sent by Norment Monday, telling him that he might be loosening his stance, Republicans are unlikely to back down from a problem that many see as a fundamental constitutional right. The only important firearms legislation passed this year was a law facilitating the obtaining of a concealed harbor permit for residents outside the state. Northam vetoed.
Another powerful Republican on Monday did not seem willing to compromise.
"We are going to let the police investigation unfold before making any significant conclusions, but the Virginia Beach Police Chief was very clear that no gun control law would have put a stop to this situation, "said House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert. Shenandoah) said by email. "There is still a lot to learn, and it is disappointing to see those who immediately embark on politics."
Read more:
Local newsletters: Local headlines (8h) | Buzz of the afternoon (16h)
Like PostLocal on Facebook | Follow @postlocal on Twitter | Latest local news
[ad_2]
Source link