Members of the General Assembly are once again debating firearms.
The House of Delegates will soon be debating a bill that limits the sale of assault-style weapons to 21 or older. It’s a bill that was introduced by Senator Saddam Salim, a Democrat from Fairfax County. His bill passed the Senate Monday afternoon.
"Assault firearms are designed to maximum lethality and have been used in some of the deadliest mass shootings," Salim says. "Yet under law, an 18-year-old who can't buy a handgun can purchase an assault firearm. This makes no sense. Young adults under 21 are more prone to impulsive behaviors, and restricting their access to these weapons can prevent tragedies."
Senator Mark Obenshain of Rockingham County says denying the sale of assault-style weapons to 18, 19 and 20-year-olds would be unconstitutional.
"We've long made the determination that 18 and 19-year-olds can vote. Eighteen, 19, 20-year-olds can join the military," Obenshain says. "Eighteen, 19 and 20-year-olds are entitled to all of the rights that are embodied in the Bill of Rights."
This week, the Senate approved bills that would ban ghost guns and exclude firearms from mental health hospitals. If they get through the House, the fate of all these bills will ultimately rest with Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
