Despite spending millions to turn Virginia’s legislature blue and a last-minute visit to Richmond, Democrats in the Senate turned back presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg’s top goal in the state of banning “assault weapons.”
In a lopsided 10-5 vote, the state Senate Judiciary Committee killed any advancement this year, pushing the legislation off for a year.
“VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” tweeted Phil Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League.
HB961 went down by a 10 to 5 vote! Everybody’s hard work, Lobby Day, and sanctuary movement paid off!
— Phil Van Cleave VCDL (@VCDL_ORG) February 17, 2020
The National Rifle Association emailed, “Thanks to Second Amendment supporters around the Commonwealth ceaselessly voicing their opposition to a sweeping gun ban, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-5 to reject House Bill 961 on February 17th. Bloomberg’s House majority in the General Assembly is not going to deliver their most coveted agenda item to their billionaire master.”
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to defeat the largest attack on Virginia’s gun owners that we have seen in years. The battle is not over but this bill is dead for this session. A big thanks to Senator Deeds, Edwards for supporting the rights of law abiding gun owners.
— Virginia Shooting Sports Association (@VSSA) February 17, 2020
While the state legislature has approved several Bloomberg-pushed gun control measures, the bill, HB961, killed today in Richmond was the top goal. It would have banned the sale of AR-style semi-automatic rifles, the most popular rifle in the United States. It would also have banned suppressors and large ammo magazines.
Gun ban bill defeated! This morning the VA Senate Judiciary Cmte voted to table HB 961 for 1 year. Three sheriffs were present: myself, Sheriff Vaughn, and Sheriff Helton. Our 2A patriots sent a message, loud and clear, on these bills. We cannot rest, however. Other bills remain. pic.twitter.com/P9koC8aCPD
— Scott Jenkins (@ScottHJenkins) February 17, 2020
Four Senate Democrats voted against it.
Van Cleave credited his group’s massive lobbying effort, which included a 22,000-strong protest in Richmond and a pro-gun sanctuary movement that swept the state after Democrats took control of the legislature in November elections.
“HB961 went down by a 10 to 5 vote! Everybody’s hard work, Lobby Day, and sanctuary movement paid off!” he tweeted.
