Why the VGA matters for GVP

We stayed busy this past Virginia General Assembly (VGA) session. Over its 45 days, we published an Op Ed, dropped 140 flyers at VGA offices, held five meetings with legislators, testified twice in committees, had eight calls to action in our Village Square, and 18 days with calls to action in our Instagram stories. Together, we made/sent over 500 calls, emails, and public comments!

GVP Bill Sponsors

Virginia Moms for Change supported 38 GVP bills filed, and 37 of these passed. Additionally, all of the bills we opposed failed. 12 senators and 16 delegates filed these GVP bills. The bills were unanimously supported by Democrats, and a few bills had votes from GOP members. If you want to see how your Delegate/Senator voted on GVP bills, you can check out this how to video.

GVP Bill Sponsors

Governor Youngkin signed seven GVP bills that will become law on July 1. He also vetoed 28. House Democrats made motions to override the Governor's vetoes on nearly every gun bill during the reconvene session on April 2. Although they were not able to get the votes to override his vetoes, it sent a very strong signal in this critical election year that gun violence prevention is going to be front and center. These vetoes highlight the need for a Governor who is a GVP champion and why we need a strong VGA who will continue to file and pass GVP bills for a Dem governor to pass.

Abigail Spanberger has proven herself to be a strong advocate for common sense gun violence prevention measures while her opponent Winsome Earle-Sears is staunchly pro-gun. In her last campaign, Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears even used an image of herself holding an assault-style rifle in her materials. If Congresswoman Spanberger is elected, we might see bills like these below become law in our commonwealth:

Child Access Prevention (SB1134): Would have strengthened legal penalties for gun owners whose firearms are accessible to minors and result in their illegal use.  

Required Locking Devices for Firearms (HB2064): Would have required a locking device to be sold with all firearms in Virginia along with a warning label about keeping it out of the hands of kids.

Preventing Gun Thefts from Cars (SB1329): Would have helped to prevent firearms from being stolen from vehicles by eliminating provisions allowing any person to store their firearms in their car. Under this bill, any person wishing to store their firearms in their car must have had a valid concealed handgun permit.

Closing the Boyfriend Loophole (HB 1869/SB883): Would have ensured that intimate partner, or dating relationships, are included in the definition of domestic violence and firearms prohibitions are applicable. This bill would have expanded critical protections to additional relationship categories, for example, a relationship where a woman cohabitates with her boyfriend.

Lethal Means Awareness (HB1678/SB1048): Would have required school boards to notify parents of the importance of safe storage of firearms and prescription medication.

Ban Ghost Guns (SB881): Would have banned “ghost guns” (weapons that have no serial number and are often made of plastic or other parts that can pass through metal detectors).

Protect DV Survivors (HB1960/SB744): Would have established a clear process to separate a person from their firearms who has been convicted of a domestic violence offense, or who is subject to a protective order.

Assault Weapon Ban (HB1607/SB1181): Would have prohibited the future sale of new assault weapons.

No Assault Weapons in Public (SB880): Would have prohibited carrying assault firearms in public areas.

Ban Kits that Create Automatic Weapons (HB1660/SB886): Would have banned all trigger activators/kits, which allow firearms to operate in a semi-automatic or automatic fashion.

Raise Age to Own a Gun (SB848): Would have raised the age requirement to purchase a handgun or assault weapon from 18 to 21.

Gun Permit Reciprocity (HB1797): Would have tightened concealed handgun permit reciprocity agreements with other states to ensure an out-of-state permit meets Virginia’s standards. 

No Guns on Campus (HB1876/SB1182): Would have allowed colleges to ban firearms on campus – a process that is currently governed by regulations and policy.

Prohibiting Weapons in Hospitals & Mental Health Facilities (HB1977/SB1110): Would have prohibited weapons in any facility that provides mental health services or emergency medical care.

Waiting Period (HB2631/SB891): Would have established a five-day waiting period for the purchase of a firearm.

Disarm Hate (HB2241): Would have prohibited individuals who have been convicted of a hate crime from owning a gun.

VA Center for Firearm Violence Intervention & Prevention (HB1736): Would have created a center within the Department of Criminal Justice Services that would gather research, strategies, and best practices for Community Violence Intervention Programs and grant funds for community-based programs.

Industry Accountability (HB1608/SB1450): Would have made it easier to hold firearm manufacturers and distributors accountable for reckless behavior or practices that make our communities less safe.

Let's make these "would have"s a reality by voting Blue this November!