GIFFORDS applauds Gov. Spanberger for signing key gun safety bills into law
Historic legislative victories underscore the importance of elections in advancing gun safety
RICHMOND, Va. — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement celebrating Governor Abigail Spanberger signing a slate of commonsense gun safety bills into law.
“Governor Spanberger ran on reducing gun crime, and with these key gun safety bills now signed into law, she’s delivering on her promise to create a safer commonwealth for Virginia’s families,” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “After years of inaction and 30 popular gun safety reforms blocked by Governor Youngkin, last November voters made it clear: Virginians want a leader who can stand up to gun industry CEOs and take action to fight crime and save lives. Governor Spanberger demonstrated she is that leader — and these legislative victories are a stark reminder of just how much our elections matter.”
Congresswoman Giffords campaigned for Governor Spanberger, including at a roundtable together last summer and throughout the closing weeks of the election cycle.
This historic Virginia legislative session included the passage of key gun safety bills, including:
- Industry Accountability: HB 21 (Delegate Helmer) / SB 27 (Senator Carroll Foy): This bill holds the gun industry accountable by establishing standards of conduct for the gun industry and allowing the attorney general or survivors to hold bad actors accountable for harms to Virginians.
- Ban on Ghost Guns: SB 323 (Senator Surovell) / HB 40 (Delegate Simon): This bill regulates and prohibits ghost guns, which people can build using kits to create their own firearms — making these weapons untraceable by law enforcement and allowing users to skirt background checks or other protections.
- Broadening Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence: SB 160 (Senator Perry) / HB 19 (Delegate McClure): This bill strengthens protections for survivors of intimate partner violence by closing the dangerous “boyfriend” loophole in Virginia’s firearm prohibition laws.
- Domestic Firearms Relinquishment: SB 38 (Senator Favola) / HB 93 (Delegate Bennett-Parker): This bill adds firearm relinquishment procedures for individuals convicted of domestic assault and battery, requiring abusers to safely and lawfully transfer their firearms.
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Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.
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