GIFFORDS condemns Youngkin for once again vetoing lifesaving legislation

WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement after Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have created a state center for firearm violence intervention and prevention. 

“Governor Youngkin’s decision is both shortsighted and hypocritical—the governor himself has called gun violence a mental health problem, yet he has wiped away the chance for this essential mental health resource,” said Sean Holihan, State Legislative Affairs and Law Enforcement Director at GIFFORDS. “When the Virginia legislature agreed to create the state’s first center for firearm violence intervention and prevention, lawmakers displayed important, bipartisan agreement, following a model  proven to save lives in states across the country.

“But now, Governor Youngkin is choosing to ignore both Virginians and their Republican and Democratic representatives. Lives will be lost as a result. In November, we look forward to electing a new governor who will work to make the Commonwealth a safer place for all families,” Holihan concluded