How Virginia Members of Congress Voted for Recent Gun Reform Bills?

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., conducts a news conference 

How Virginia Members of Congress Voted for Recent Gun Reform Bills

The Protection of Our Children Act passed the House of Representatives and will now pass to the Senate.

Gun control remains a debate among lawmakers, especially in the wake of recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. Congress is currently in session on gun reform bills.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed the "Protecting Our Children Act."

The bill would raise the age to purchase certain semi-automatic firearms from 18 to 21.

It also prohibits the sale of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices such as magazines and regulates weapons storage.

Our local Congressmen representing the 5th, 6th, and 9th districts voted against the bill.

Fifth District Congressman Bob Goode called the bill "unconstitutional."

He issued a statement saying:

Legislation passed by Democratic House members mainly on partisan lines is unconstitutional and ineffective. There is no government solution to evil, and restricting the rights of the Second Amendment to law-abiding citizens to defend themselves will only enable violent crime. We learned from the New York shootings a few weeks ago that a state can impose restrictive gun laws, but it won't stop anyone intending to harm others. It is encouraging to see Governor Youngkin suggest statewide solutions to make schools safer, such as his initiative to ensure school resource administrators are present in schools across Virginia."

Congressman Bob Goode

Congressman Morgan Griffith, who represents the Ninth District, issued the following statement to 10 News:

"H.R. 7910 is a sweeping gun-control measure that even supporters know has little chance of Senate approval. I believe it violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and own firearms."

As a parent of school-age children, I want to pursue actions that protect our schools without violating the Second Amendment. I am a sponsor of STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect Our Nation Children Act, which will provide $1 billion for school resource staff, $1 billion for school mental health guidance counselors, and $5 billion to improve school security and law enforcement training, driven by unspent COVID funding. Legislative actions should offer practical steps like this rather than focusing on gun owners."

Congressman Morgan Griffiths

Sixth District Congressman Ben Klein also voted against the bill.

The bill is now heading to the Senate.

Both Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine say they support the bill.

Senator Warner issued this statement:

"I'm pleased to see the House pass comprehensive gun control legislation tonight. I'm ready to pass meaningful reform in the Senate next."Senator Mark Warner

Senator Keane issued the following statement:

"This week, I met high school students in Arlington who had an obvious message to Congress: Our lives deserve to be protected. I couldn't agree more, and I salute my colleagues in the House for taking decisive action today to protect them. I will continue pushing my Senate colleagues to do the same and save spirits."