RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats in the Virginia House are advancing a package of gun-control measures they said are needed to improve public safety.
The new Democratic majority in the House voted Wednesday to advance a package of gun measures over vocal opposition from Republicans, who said the measures infringe on law-abiding gun owners’ rights.
The bills include limiting handgun purchases to once a month; universal background checks on gun purchases; allowing localities to ban guns in certain areas; and a red flag bill that would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others.
A final vote is expected Thursday to pass the measures and then send them to the Senate, which has already passed its own versions gun-control bills.
So far neither chamber has approved a proposed assault weapon ban, a top priority for Gov. Ralph Northam and one that’s drawn fierce resistance from gun-rights advocates.
