Dan Kennedy: The Virginia General Assembly is considering a handful of gun reform bills. Several have already passed the state Senate and could go all the way to the Governor's desk tonight. Miles Hood spoke with Bill sponsors and opponents here at Hampton Roads. He joins us in the studio now with more.
Miles Hood: Yeah, that's right Dan. A number of the gun bills in Richmond have to deal with restrictions and limits on who can buy and who can't buy a gun. Now, senate Democrats say these measures are sensible. While opponents say it only makes it harder for everyday citizens to own a gun
Tim Anderson: Everytime, a criminal does something with a firearm. There is a left reaction to restrict lawful gun owners.
Senator Angel Willams Graves: But we've got to do something to get these guns off the streets, out of the hands of young people,
Miles Hood: Whether it's what type of gun can be owned and sold to enhancing background checks to even waiting periods between when a gun is purchased and picked up. Senator Angela Williams Graves says, the bill that may become laws are making the commonwealth safe and sensible. I
Senator Angel Willams Graves: Think it goes to responsible gun ownership. I think it goes to responsible gun safety.
Miles Hood: The Senator's bill would require that anyone who purchases a firearm in Virginia to demonstrate competence with a firearm or complete a firearm safety or training course within the past five years, she says it's no different than passing a driver's test.
Senator Angel Willams Graves: And we don't just let people get behind the wheel of a car without training them on what they should do and how to navigate and understand the rules of the
Miles Hood: Road. Tim Anderson is a former delegate in the General Assembly. He believes the focus should be on criminals with guns and not the guns themselves.
Tim Anderson: Find the people that are distributing stolen guns. You find the people that are using firearms and you lock them up for a long period of time until they're old enough not to cause trouble in society. Later in life.
Miles Hood: If these bills become law, he believes gun owners will be punished for crimes they won't ever commit. These bills still need to pass the house, and even if that happens, keep in mind, governor Glenn Youngen can veto any bill that comes across his desk, and it would take a two thirds vote in both chambers to override a veto from him in the studio on Miles Hood for 13 News now
Dan Kennedy: Miles. Thanks. And we did reach out to Governor Glenn Young and a spokesperson sent us this statement saying, the governor will review any bill that comes across his desk. And Virginia's gun laws are already among the toughest in the nation. He wants lawmakers to hold criminals who commit crimes with guns accountable by creating longer and more severe penalties.
Credit: 13News Now
We are offering a course on VA Carry Permit