Virginia Senate Passes 'Red Flag' Law That Helped Trigger Massive Pro-Gun Protest
Virginia Senate Passes Bill That Helped Trigger Pro-Gun Protest
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By Jack Davis
Published January 23, 2020 at 9:25am
The so-called “red flag” law that helped draw 22,000 protesters to Virginia’s capital on Monday was approved Wednesday in the state Senate.
The bill, which passed in a 21-19 vote, allows firearms to be confiscated from legal gun owners if those individuals have been deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
Law enforcement officers or attorneys who work for the state can apply to the court for an “emergency substantial risk order” prohibiting the subject of the order from possessing a firearm.
The proposal will now be considered by Virginia’s House of Delegates, which has a 55-45 Democratic majority.
Jake Rubenstein, a spokesman for Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, told CNN the legislature is doing the will of Virginia voters.
“Virginians spoke loud and clear on Election Day demanding common sense gun violence protections, and make no mistake, we will deliver on that mandate,” Rubenstein said.
In November, Virginia voters put control of the legislature into the hands of Democrats, who have vowed to pursue a strong anti-gun rights agenda.
Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has said he will sign gun control bills that emerge from the legislature.
On Monday, thousands of armed, pro-Second Amendment activists descended onto Richmond, protesting a spate of gun control laws being considered by the state legislature, including the “red flag” bill.
“These laws aren’t being done in good faith,” Ben Rego of Chesapeake told USA Today.
“The sheer numbers here speaks for itself,” Matthew French of Bland added to the outlet. “I hope our legislators will back off. Today was the civil rights march of my life.”
Many on Twitter protested the new law’s passage in the state Senate: