NORTHAM SIGNS FIVE GUN CONTROL BILLS INTO LAW
‘We do not need weapons of war on our streets,’ governor says
Advocates celebrated on Friday as Gov. Ralph Northam signed five bills into law that they say will help prevent gun violence.
The Democratic governor signed one bill that requires background checks on all firearm sales in Virginia, and another that reinstates the one-hand-gun-a-localities month rule.
He also signed a bill creating an extreme risk protection order, also known as a “red flag” law, that says courts can allow police to temporarily remove guns from people considered a danger to themselves or others.
He approved the bill that says lost or stolen firearms have to be reported within 48 hours, and another that increases the penalty for recklessly leaving loaded guns around children.
He also proposed technical changes to two bills:
He clarified an exemption for universities for a bill that allows to ban guns in public places. And he recommended allowing judges to hold people in contempt of court if they can’t prove they’ve given up their guns if they are the subject of a permanent protective order. The General Assembly will consider those changes when it reconvenes in Richmond for the day on April 22.
Voters elected a Democratic majority in the House and Senate in November following the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, where 12 people were killed on May 31.
Democratic lawmakers vowed to pass more gun control legislation, and managed to pass seven of the eight bills backed by Northam, despite thousands of gun-rights advocates protesting at a rally in January and at meetings where legislation was considered during the annual two-month session.
“Virginians wanted change,” said House Speaker Eileen FillerCorn on a call with reporters Friday. “We were not leaving Richmond in March without historic progress on gun violence prevention.”
Del. Todd Gilbert, the House GOP leader, pointed out in a statement that gun sales have been at a record high in Virginia. “To take a victory lap on such a controversial issue at a time when Virginians are buying firearms at a record pace to protect themselves and their families is counterintuitive,” he said.
Some of the gun bills were altered from their original form throughout the session to ensure they would get the approval of more moderate Democrats. The background check bill, for example, originally included checks on all firearm transfers as well. The penalty for recklessly leaving a loaded gun around a child was more harsh and raised the age of the child from 14 to 18.
The bill that drew the most attention from gun-rights advocates was an assault weapons ban that a committee in the more moderate Senate tabled for the year in February. Northam said on the press call Friday that he would make sure that legislation was considered again next year.
“I have always said that we do not need weapons of war on our streets,” he said. The signed bills will go into effect July 1.