March 22, 2024
RICHMOND, VA – The House Democratic Caucus released the following statement after the Governor vetoed a block of public safety bills this week.
“Democrats were elected in November to work for the people of Virginia, and we have continued to fight for their rights in the legislature this year. With the close of the 2024 Legislative Session, we were proud to pass hundreds of bills that would make the Commonwealth a safer and fairer place for all working families.
These include bills that would protect our communities from gun violence if signed into law. Likewise, our budget reflects these values and would fund initiatives required to keep Virginians safe.
Other safety measures have yet to be signed or vetoed, and we hope the Governor will take this opportunity to move Virginia in the right direction and sign these overwhelmingly bipartisan bills into law. Virginians believe that guns should be inaccessible to minors (HB-36) and that people deserve to feel safe regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender (HB-18).
These are not just common sense, these are humane. Each person deserves the opportunity to live and raise a family without fear, in safe and supportive communities. As we approach the April 8 deadline, we are hopeful the Governor will move to sign bills and release the stranglehold the NRA and gun lobby has on the Republican Party.”
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