Washington (CNN) Gov. Ralph Northam told Virginians Saturday that the latest shooting tragedy 'will not define' the community after a gunman opened fire at a Virginia Beach city building, leaving 12 dead.

Northam visited with victims Saturday at the Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

"They are doing well, you know, they are strong people and have a tremendous faith in God," Northam told CNN. "So they are coming along nicely. And we just offer our thoughts, our prayers, our support, for these families."

The Democratic governor has long made gun control legislation a priority, supporting measures to tighten access to firearms in the state. Yet, he and Democrats have been unable to pass legislation in a Republican-controlled state legislature.

When he ran for governor in 2017, Northam called for universal background checks, touted his "F" rating from the National Rifle Association, and, according to the Washington Pos t , also joined a protest against the NRA at its headquarters in Virginia.

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