Gov. Northam plans to reintroduce gun control measures after election night
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — Virginia Democrats have promised swift action on a host of liberal policy proposals now that they've won full control of state government, including Governor Ralph Northam's gun control measures that he first introduced after the mass shooting in Virginia Beach.
At a Cabinet meeting Wednesday morning, Northam said Democratic gains were largely powered by voters who wanted to see commonsense gun laws enacted.
Governor Northam said he plans to reintroduce the eight bills he claims will "save lives and improve public safety in our communities" including:
- Legislation requiring background checks on all firearms sales and transactions. The bill mandates that any person selling, renting, trading, or transferring a firearm must first obtain the results of a background check before completing the transaction.
- Legislation banning dangerous weapons. This will include bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, bump stocks and silencers.
- Legislation to reinstate Virginia’s successful law allowing only one handgun purchase within a 30-day period.
- Legislation requiring that lost and stolen firearms be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.
- Legislation creating an Extreme Risk Protective Order, allowing law enforcement and the courts to temporarily separate a person from firearms if the person exhibits dangerous behavior that presents an immediate threat to self or others.
- Legislation prohibiting all individuals subject to final protective orders from possessing firearms. The bill expands Virginia law which currently prohibits individuals subject to final protective orders of family abuse from possessing firearms.
- Legislation enhancing the punishment for allowing access to loaded, unsecured firearm by a child from a Class 3 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony. The bill also raises the age of the child from 14 to 18.
- Legislation enabling localities to enact any firearms ordinances that are stricter than state law. This includes regulating firearms in municipal buildings, libraries and at permitted events.
Northam called a special session in July to address the 'emergency' of gun violence in the Commonwealth. Legislators voted to adjourn after 90 minutes and refer all legislation to the Crime Commission for further study.
House Speaker Kirk Cox said the session was premature because the shooting was still under investigation.
Legislators also adjourned the special session without taking any action and postponed any movement on gun control until after the November election. The Crime Commission is expected to meet next week ahead of lawmakers returning to Richmond.
"I suspect most of the work to be done in January," Northam said.
Northam also said he is willing to work with Republicans on the gun control measures.
Democratic leaders say Virginians should also expect a higher minimum wage and greater abortion rights after their gains Tuesday. They also promised ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, making Virginia the final state needed for possible passage of the gender equality measure.
Tuesday's election could help cement Democratic rule for the next decade, because the winners will decide who controls the next redistricting process. Lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment this year that would create a new bipartisan commission empowered to draw legislative and congressional maps.
Democrats have to sign off on it again next year before presenting it to voters.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
