RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Center for Public Safety (VACPS), the Commonwealth’s legacy gun violence prevention advocacy organization, applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger and the Virginia General Assembly for passing more than two dozen evidence-informed, common-sense gun violence prevention bills—many of which will soon become law in Virginia.

The stakes could not have been higher. On average, 1,226 people die by guns each year in Virginia, and 1,624 people are wounded. Gun violence costs the state $14.2 billion each year, of which $288.3 million is paid by taxpayers. 

This historic progress reflects years of tireless advocacy by a coalition of gun safety advocates. These new policies affirm Virginia’s lawmakers’ commitment to ensuring the health and safety of all who reside in the Commonwealth.

“After years of seeing important legislation passed, only to be vetoed by the Governor, Virginia finally has an administration that recognizes the importance of preventing gun violence rather than simply reacting to it.  The wishes of the vast majority of Virginians, including a majority of responsible gun owners, for real action to reduce gun violence are now being answered”. 
 - Andrew Goddard, Policy Director, Virginia Center for Public Safety

New Regulations include:

• Requiring safe storage of firearms in vehicles and homes
• Banning ghost guns
• Strengthening domestic violence protections by requiring firearm relinquishment
• Prohibiting persons convicted of assault and battery of an intimate partner from purchasing or possessing firearms
• Improving Substantial Risk Orders by expanding petitioners and clarifying process
• Requiring Substantial Risk Order education and training for public safety officials and threat assessment teams, and establishing a Substantial Risk Order reporting system
• Repeal of broad concealed carry reciprocity with other states
• Prohibition of the public carry of assault weapons
• Prohibition of handgun purchase by those under 21
• Gun industry accountability by creating a cause of action for negligent practices
• Establishing a work group to make recommendations to create a state-level Office of Gun Violence Prevention

The results of Wednesday’s reconvened session demonstrate the impact of electing leaders committed to addressing gun violence in all its forms.

About the Virginia Center for Public Safety: Founded in 1993, the Virginia Center for Public Safety (VACPS) is the Commonwealth’s legacy gun violence prevention organization. VACPS advances evidence-based policies to reduce gun violence through advocacy, research, and coalition-building—in Virginia and across the country through its Safer States Initiative.