VA Senate blocks gun control bill backed by Gov. Northam

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American Military News by  Ryan Morgan February 05, 2020 

Lawmakers in the Virginia Senate blocked a gun control measure favored by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday, signaling the possibility that some of the new gun control bills may not pass despite the state’s new Democratic majority.

The Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee voted down a bill that would make it a felony for gun owners to “recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm” in a way that endangers a minor. Two Democrats, Sens. Creigh Deeds and Chap Petersen, joined Republicans in opposing the bill, the Associated Press reported.

The bill specifically would have raised the age of allowable firearms access from 14 to 18-years-old, effectively banning minors from individually accessing a firearm.

The bill was one of several gun control measures favored by Northam after the Democratic party won control of both houses of the state legislature in November.

“This bill will keep children safe from loaded, unsecured firearms. Like Gov. Northam’s other common sense gun safety measures, it is something that everyone — including responsible gun owners — should support,” Northam’s spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky said in a statement endorsing the measure.

More: https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/02/va-senate-blocks-gun-control-bill-backed-by-gov-northam/

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It would have prevented Scout Camps, 4H camps, and other youth groups from teaching the safe handling of firearms. It would have prevented hundreds perhaps thousands of young people from going out hunting with their parents or other responsible adults. I can't speak for other parts of Virginia, but around here a youngster getting a deer or two each year helps to prevent a skinny winter.