Governor Jettisons 30 Anti-Gun Bills, Spurring Ire and Applause

Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed 30 proposed bills, each of which he deemed were infringing upon the rights of law-abiding citizens.

These bills, primarily introduced by Democrats, ranged from bans on the sale or possession of new ‘assault’ rifles to the criminalization of firearm possession within buildings owned or operated by colleges and universities.

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of Virginia, and that absolutely includes protecting the right of law-abiding Virginians to keep and bear arms,”
Youngkin noted in his statement.

A significant proportion of these bills were introduced to limit firearms in proximity to educational institutions. One such bill, HB 585, proposed to bar firearms sales within 1.5 miles of an elementary or middle school. However, Youngkin deemed this to be “unconstitutional, retaliatory, and arbitrary.”

Further bills vetoed by the governor included HB 799, which would have made it mandatory to submit fingerprints when applying for or renewing a concealed handgun permit. Youngkin countered that this “targets individuals already subject to background checks and mandatory training, creating superfluous and onerous restrictions on responsible citizens exercising their Second Amendment right to self-defense”.

Despite his firm stance on gun control, Youngkin did approve two bills aimed at public safety. One prevents parents from “willfully allowing a child who poses a credible threat of violence to access a firearm” and the other bans the manufacture, transfer, or possession of an auto sear, a device that can convert semi-automatic firearms into automatic ones.

“I am pleased to sign four public safety bills which are commonsense reforms with significant bipartisan support from the General Assembly, and offer recommendations to several bills which, if adopted, will make it harder for criminals to use guns in the commission of a violent act,” the governor commented.

The governor’s vetoes have been met with frustration and anger from Democratic lawmakers, with state Sen. Creigh Deeds expressing his disappointment, writing, “2 more of my bills, prospectively banning assault-style weapons, and keeping guns off college campuses are being vetoed. Shameful and unthinking action!”

Democratic state Sen. Mamie Locke was similarly critical, stating, “Consider the source. Guns for everybody, no redemption for anyone, suppress the vote and voters, and tax cuts for millionaires. Who’s backwards?”

However, the National Rifle Association (NRA) applauded Youngkin’s actions.

“Governor Glenn Youngkin’s courageous veto of dozens of ill-conceived gun control bills is a resounding victory for the Second Amendment in Virginia,” said Randy Kozuch, NRA executive director. “His refusal to bow to unconstitutional overreach … underscores his fierce commitment to safeguarding our fundamental rights.”

This political landscape shows a clear and stark contrast of views. Regardless, Youngkin remains steadfast in his promise to uphold the Constitution and the rights of law-abiding Virginian citizens.

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