RICHMOND, Va. — A dozen pieces of gun legislation are headed to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk. A number of the gun bills that passed have to deal with what kind of gun you can have, to how and where you have to store it.
Tim Anderson, a former delegate in the General Assembly, believes the focus should be on criminals with guns — not the guns themselves.
"I think the theme of the General Assembly, is that there's no such thing as a bad gun bill, so long as it somehow restricts citizens' rights to own possess or purchase firearms, and most likely find a negative reaction from the Virginia governor," Anderson said.
Senate Bill 99 is one of the bills that passed. It prohibits carrying certain semi-automatic center-fire rifles and shotguns anywhere that is open to the public, with certain exceptions.
Senator Aneglia Williams Graves calls the bill common sense.
"There's no reason for folks to be, you know, having those kinds of high-powered weapons,” said Williams Graves.
Anderson says legislation like this makes owning a gun harder for everyday folks.
Senate Bill 368 would have owners store firearms and the ammunition for such firearms in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person
House Bill 498 would have school districts inform parents of enrolled students of their legal responsibility to safely store guns within the household.
Williams Graves believes the governor won’t sign these bills. Something Anderson agrees with but for different reasons.
Gov. Youngkin's spokesman said: "Virginia's gun laws are already among the toughest in the nation and Governor Youngkin continues to pursue policies to hold criminals that commit crimes with guns accountable by strengthening penalties to effectively keep criminals off the streets and Virginians safe. The Governor will review any legislation that comes to his desk."