By Chris “Badger” Thomas at Breaking First
Virginia Democrats are speaking out after the Senate Judiciary Committee scuttled Gov. Ralph Northam’s gun, magazine, and suppressor ban for the session by sending the bill off to be studied by the Virginia Crime Commission. Northam’s office released a statement a few hours after the vote that tried to put a positive spin on the vote.
The thing is, this isn’t the first gun control bill supported by Ralph Northam to be killed in the state Senate. SB 67 a “lost or stolen” measure, was defeated on the Senate floor, and the Senate Judiciary Committee defeated another measure on February 3rd. Bearing Arms
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted against a bill that would make it a felony to “recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm” in a way that endangers a minor.
It’s one of eight gun-related proposals that Northam has urged lawmakers to adopt. Virginia has become ground zero in the nation’s raging debate over gun control and mass shootings as a new Democratic majority seeks to enact strict new limits. Last month, tens of thousands of guns-rights activists from around the country flooded the Capitol and surrounding area in protest, some donning tactical gear and carrying military rifles.
Two moderate Democrats — Sens. Creigh Deeds and Chap Petersen — joined with Republicans to defeat the bill Monday over concerns that law-abiding gun owners could be unfairly punished…
What they didn’t do is turn the bill into a law, though Northam still has an option available to him to amend his gun ban language to an existing gun control bill, and there are still several other House-approved gun control bills still alive this session.
It’s possible that Northam and House Democrats will insert the language banning modern sporting rifles, ammunition magazines with a 13+ round capacity, suppressors, and “trigger activators” into one of the gun control bills that is still alive this session.
Chris “Badger” Thomas is a Veteran who served our country as an Army Combat Medic.
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