In a major win for gun violence prevention advocates, a slate of more than 20 bills has landed on the desk of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The measures include a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines, making Virginia the 11th state in the nation to enact such a ban, alongside protections for domestic violence survivors, a ghost guns ban, and industry accountability measures.
The sweeping legislation comes after a massive electoral victory last November, when a wave of Moms Demand Action volunteers was elected to state and local office. Gov. Spanberger herself is a former Moms Demand Action volunteer, and other gun violence prevention volunteers represent 20% of the House Democratic Majority.
Recent polling in Virginia shows a growing consensus in favor of gun violence prevention measures: A majority of Virginia voters want stronger gun laws. In an average year in Virginia, 1,226 people die by guns and 1,624 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Virginia $14.2 billion each year, of which $288.3 million is paid by taxpayers.
Colorado already has laws similar to most of the measures awaiting Spanberger’s signature, including higher ages for handgun and assault weapon purchases (21 years); a ghost gun ban; secure storage laws; and an Extreme Risk Protection Order law. Colorado does not currently have an outright assault weapons ban.