ROANOKE, Va. – Gun control continues to be a discussion among lawmakers, especially in the wake of recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York.
Congress is currently in session working on gun reform bills.
Most recently, the House of Representatives passed the “Protecting Our Kids Act.”
The bill would raise the age to buy certain semi-automatic firearms from 18 to 21 years old.
It would also prohibit the sale of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices like magazines and regulate the storage of guns.
Our area’s local congressmen representing the fifth, sixth and ninth districts all voted against the bill.
Fifth District Congressman Bob Good called the bill “unconstitutional.”
He released a statement saying:
“The legislation passed by House Democrats largely along party lines is both unconstitutional and ineffective. There is no government solution to evil, and restricting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves will only enable violent crime. As we learned from the New York shooting a few weeks ago, a state can have restrictive gun laws on the books, but it will not stop someone intent on doing harm to others. It is encouraging to see Governor Youngkin proposing state-level solutions to make schools safer like his initiative to ensure school resource officers are in schools across Virginia.”
Congressman Bob Good
Congressman Morgan Griffith, who represents the ninth district, released the following statement to 10 News:
“H.R. 7910 is a sweeping gun control measure that even supporters recognize has little chance of Senate passage. I believe it infringes on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and own firearms.”
“As the father of school-age children, I want to pursue measures that would protect our schools without violating the Second Amendment. I’m a cosponsor of the STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act, which would provide $1 billion for school resource officers, $1 billion for mental health guidance counselors in schools, and $5 billion to improve school security and law enforcement training, paid for with unspent COVID funding. Legislative action should advance practical steps like these instead of focusing on gun owners.”
Congressman Morgan Griffith
Sixth District Congressman Ben Cline also voted against the bill.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Both Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine say they support the bill.
Senator Warner released this statement:
“Glad 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 Kaine released the following statement:
“This week, I met with high school students in Arlington who had a crystal clear message for Congress: our lives are worth protecting. I couldn’t agree more, and I applaud my colleagues in the House for taking decisive action today to protect them. I’m going to keep pushing my colleagues in the Senate to do the same and save lives.”
Senator Tim Kaine