Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s bid to ban the sale of so-called assault weapons has failed after Democratic Senators balked at the controversial proposal, according to Fox5.
Those opposed opted to shelve the bill for a year in order for the state crime commission to study the issue - a decision which drew cheers from gun advocates during a highly anticipated committee meeting.
Four moderate Democrats joined Republicans in Monday’s committee vote, rejecting legislation that would have prohibited the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including popular AR-15 style rifles, and banned the possession of magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.
The bill was a top priority for Northam, a Democrat who has campaigned heavily for a broad package of gun-control measures. -Fox5
Gun owners and Second Amendment activists accused Northam and others of attempting to confiscate commonly owned guns from law-abiding citizens despite the governor’s repeated assertions that he does not want to confiscate guns. He argued that banning the sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would deter mass murderers.
Tens of thousands of Second Amendment activists flooded the state Capitol in protest of the bill - with many exercising their right to open-carry.
Still, while Northam’s 'scary looking rifles’ bill has failed, he has been able to push through much of his gun-control agenda.
Earlier proposals to ban possession of AR-15-style rifles or to require owners to register them with state police have been scrapped. The governor had hoped a watered-down would win over enough Democratic moderates for passage.
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Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have already advanced several other gun-control measures and should finalize passage in the coming days. Those bills include limiting handgun purchases to once a month, universal background checks on gun purchases, allowing localities to ban guns in public buildings, parks and other 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. -Fox5
In short, if you oppose abortion and want to protect your family, don’t live in Virginia.
