Press Releases
Scott, Connolly, Beyer, Spanberger, Wexton & McClellan Introduce Gun Violence Prevention Legislation to Implement Successful Virginia Strategies at the Federal Level
Washington,
June 28, 2024
Tags:
Gun Violence
Today, Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03), a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, along with Representatives Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Donald Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) introduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act to enact a series of gun violence prevention measures at the federal level. This bill introduction is timely as June is Gun Violence Awareness Month. “Too many families and communities have had their lives shattered by gun violence,” said Rep. Scott. “The Commonwealth of Virginia has taken a number of successful legislative actions in recent years to help curb gun violence in our communities. This legislation will build on those successes at the national level, so that we can try to finally end this epidemic.” “Virginia knows firsthand the pain and suffering inflicted on our communities by gun violence,” said Rep. Connolly. “We also know that we are not powerless in the fight for gun safety. This legislation, based on Virginia’s successful gun violence prevention agenda, will save lives, make our communities safer, and inject some badly needed Virginia commonsense into our federal gun laws.” “The United States faces a gun violence crisis that is unique in its deadliness and scale, and there is much more we can do to protect our communities from the scourge of senseless violence and prevent mass shootings,” said Rep. Beyer. “Virginia has made great progress in gun violence prevention by implementing effective and sensible measures such as extreme risk protection orders for those who pose a danger to themselves or others and empowering family members to safeguard their guns away from children. Implementing similar legislation at the federal level would extend proven protections nationwide and save many lives.” “As a former federal agent who carried a firearm every day, I know what responsible gun ownership entails. I also understand that keeping guns out of the hands of those who might put themselves or others in danger can help keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Spanberger. “No American should have to fear gun violence in their classroom, at their workplace, in their local Walmart, on their neighborhood playground, or while walking home from school. By following Virginia’s lead and taking these commonsense steps — like passing Lucia’s Law at the federal level, Congress can help prevent tragedies before they happen, curb our nation’s scourge of gun violence, and save lives.” “The gun violence crisis has torn apart families in every community across our Commonwealth and country,” said Rep. Wexton. “In Congress, I proudly supported the most significant gun safety law in decades, but it's clear there is more work to do to keep our kids and communities safe. Virginia has made significant strides to combat gun violence in recent years and we must continue to build upon this progress across the country. I'm proud to join my fellow Virginia Members of Congress to introduce these common sense reforms at the federal level.” No one should have to fear for their life in the classroom, grocery store, or their place of worship,” said Rep. McClellan. “As a state legislator, I championed several successful initiatives to curb gun violence and address its root causes. Now, I’m working with my Virginia congressional colleagues to extend those reforms nationwide to keep our communities safe. The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2024 would build on Virginia’s framework to reduce gun violence from 2020 and Lucia’s Law, which takes effect in Virginia on July 1, 2024, through the following provisions:
Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (Both D-VA) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. Last Congress, Congressional Democrats voted for a number of gun violence prevention initiatives including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on June 25, 2022. That bill marked the first major piece of gun violence legislation to be enacted at the federal level in nearly three decades. To read the bill text of the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, please CLICK HERE. |