Around a dozen gun control bills have swiftly advanced through Virginia’s state legislature in recent weeks, while some of the more controversial measures, such as a ban on owning and selling “assault weapons,” have been struck down.
Democrats recently won control of the state’s House and Senate chamber and have vowed to enact stronger gun control policies, saying it will help reduce shootings and deaths. The party now has full control of the General Assembly—for the first time in over two decades—and Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general are Democrats as well.