Democrats were hoping that their new numbers in the House of Delegates might mean some changes this year in Richmond. But as Michael Pope reports, they are not making any traction on gun control.
Visitors to the Senate gallery have been prohibited from bringing guns into the gallery since the 1990's. But not in the House gallery. Delegate Kathleen Murphy, a Democrat from McLean, tried to change the rules this week to ban guns from the House gallery. Republicans shot it down.
“We are, in fact, on the floor sitting ducks. If someone wanted to hurt us it would be easy enough to do it. And before any good guy with a gun could get that bad guy with a gun, someone would be injured or killed.”
Republicans have already rejected efforts to close the gun show loophole and ban bump stocks. Instead they want to allow firearms in churches during worship services. Republican Delegate Dave LaRock of Loudoun brought a prop to a conservative caucus press conference to make that point.
“And so this is a picture of the governor in his place of worship right across the street. And you’ll notice in the background there are two armed security guards, which indicates that he realizes that armed security is necessary.”
Governor Northam has already signaled he’ll veto that bill if it gets out of the General Assembly.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
