VIRGINIA, USA — With less than one month to go before Virginia's 2024 lawmaking session, Delegate-elect Nadarius Clark (District 84) told 13News Now that Democratic lawmakers will likely have a renewed focus on passing gun violence prevention legislation.
Clark, who co-chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus alongside State Sen. Adam Ebbin (District 30), shared that with the Democratic Party controlling both chambers of the state capitol this upcoming lawmaking session, it would likely make for an easier path to put gun-related legislation at the desk of Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Data from the Virginia Department of Health shows deadly gun incidents are on the rise. VDH data shows that between 2018 and 2022, the state has seen an increase of roughly 300 yearly gun deaths.
For 2023, VDH data also shows more than 2,200 firearm-related Emergency Department visits, rising from less than 1,700 as recently as 2017.
In 2022, "homicides" made up about 42% of the gun-related deaths in Virginia.
The following is a transcript of an interview with Del. Clark:
Alex Littlehales, reporter: "With a split General Assembly there may not be a ton of movement on issues like this. But if Democrats have control in both chambers, there is an avenue for things to get pushed through. Is it accurate to say that because of that chamber control, there will be an emphasis on this? And possibly see more movement than in years past."
Delegate Nadarius Clark: "Definitely... I do believe there is an appetite for this kind of legislation. When you look at the history of this kind of legislation when Democrats had a trifecta in 2020 and 2021, Democrats pushed some legislation for gun violence prevention like 'Red Flag' laws. We've been holding a wall to make sure it wasn't rolled back. Now it's time to expand on some of that work... common sense solutions to save lives."
AL: "Does this mean anything related to gun violence prevention and firearms means will move forward? Will you pass it to put it on Youngkin's desk and say 'Your move' or will only the bills you think the Governor would not Veto make it there?"
Del. Clark: "I think the bills we'll push forward are life-saving bills, common sense solutions. Doubling down on responsible gun ownership, universal background checks. I would hope the bills we push forward are bi-partisan and he [Governor Youngkin] sees a need for them, safe storage bills, increasing tax credit around what's classified as a tax credit for when you purchase a safe storage item. Devices around that."
"I hope if they make it to the Governor's desk he would sign it, but I hope that the House and Senate are diligent with what we allow to go that far."
AL: "Some bills are already pre-filed, though not everything has registered in the queue. There is an assault weapons misdemeanor bill, there is a trigger lock bill. That's just two, can you share any other efforts that will be prioritized or pre-filed in the next month?"
Del. Clark: "Beyond the assault weapons effort, we want to expand universal background checks. Primarily when we look at that trigger lock bill, is a minor in your home? If you're filling out that paperwork that it asks you 'Do you have a minor in your house.' If yes, you need to buy a trigger lock for that weapon, but you'll also receive a tax credit for that purchase. We're looking at expanding what's captured in that tax credit. Banning ghost guns, 3D printed guns that don't have serial numbers on them. Making sure the reporting for lost and stolen firearms is efficient."