Virginia Democrat Backs Gun Ban in Governor’s Race

Virginia’s Democrat-controlled General Assembly has passed dozens of gun control bills over the past few years, but the vast majority of them have been vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin; including a ban on so-called assault weapons that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of some of the most popular rifles in the country. 

Youngkin’s term expires next year, however, and the Democrat running to replace him in this year’s elections is making it clear that if she’s elected a gun ban will soon be enacted into law. 

Spanberger, speaking to a rally of red-shirted advocates for stronger state gun-control laws, declared Thursday that “Virginia is on the right path, but we need a governor to sign,” as she flourished one hand to mime a signature. 

Among the legislation she said she would support if elected governor in November are proposals to stiffen penalties on failure to keep loaded firearms safe from minors, a ban on the manufacture and distribution of “ghost” guns, stricter limits on high-capacity magazines that can be used in mass shootings and a ban on the sale, purchase or transfer of assault-style rifles.

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“I will sign legislation into law to make progress on these issues to keep Virginia families safe,” she said. “I will not veto common-sense proposals like our current governor has done.”

Spanberger’s speech did not specify a ban on sales of assault-style weapons, which Youngkin has vetoed in two consecutive years since Democrats regained control of both chambers of the General Assembly at the beginning of last year. But she said in an interview after the rally that she would support such a prohibition, as she did in Congress by co-sponsoring legislation that the House of Representatives passed but the Senate killed in 2022.

“I am totally on the record,” she said.

Yes, and totally on board with the anti-gun extremism of Moms Demand Action and other groups like Everytown and Giffords. In fact, I’d like to hear Spanberger describe a gun control proposal that, in her mind, goes too far, because I don’t think one exists. Despite portraying herself as a moderate throughout her political career, Spanberger’s hostility towards the right to keep and bear arms puts her in the same company as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Joe Biden. If she’s elected and the Democrats keep control of the state legislature, Virginia’s gun laws are going to quickly look a lot like those in California, New Jersey, and New York, and gun owners in the commonwealth need to be active and engaged now to defend their firearm freedoms. 

Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, on the other hand, has been a staunch supporter of our Second Amendment rights, and would, at the very least, serve as a bulwark against the infringements the gun control lobby wants to foist on Virginians. If Republicans can claw back control of the House and Senate and Winsome succeeds Youngkin, Virginia could become a Constitutional Carry state, and things like a semi-auto ban would be off the table. 

The stakes are high this year, and we’ll be covering the governor’s race and the Second Amendment implications between now and Election Day; helping to shine a spotlight on Spanberger’s anti-gun extremism to ensure that voters are aware of the looming threat to their fundamental rights if she’s elected. You can help our efforts and get all kinds of great benefits for yourself when you sign up to become a VIP, VIP Gold, or VIP Platinum member at BearingArms/Townhall Media. Just click here to join, and use the promo code FIGHT to take 60% off your membership!