The Virginia Senate rejected Gov. Ralph Northam's so-called assault weapons ban in a bipartisan vote — four Democrats joined with six Republicans — during a session of the Judiciary Committee Monday morning.

In reaction, Virginia Citizens Defense League Phil Van Cleave said in a statement on Twitter, “The defeat of HB 961 was a group effort, uniting gun owners inside and outside Virginia. There are many, many people and organizations to thank for today’s victory and VCDL thanks all of them and all of you for doing your part.”

The defeat of HB 961 was a group effort, uniting gun owners inside and outside Virginia. There are many, many people and organizations to thank for today’s victory and VCDL thanks all of them and all of you for doing your part. — Phil Van Cleave VCDL (@VCDL_ORG) February 17, 2020

Be sure to thank every senator who has a green “yes” to the left of his name. 6 Republicans and 4 Democrats. pic.twitter.com/Qvkzf7B2sa — Phil Van Cleave VCDL (@VCDL_ORG) February 17, 2020

The audience erupted into cheers upon the announcement of the bill's defeat for the remainder of the legislative year. Bonus: Watch Delegate Mark Levine — one of the main proponents of the bill — just have to stand there and take it.

TFW you failed to criminalize law-abiding gun owners. pic.twitter.com/d48u92DSWv — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) February 17, 2020

Levine reacted with typical liberal scare-mongering after the vote failed. “Senate Committee voted to study assault weapons bill for another year. We already know weapons of war don't belong on our streets. I fear mass murder with these weapons between now and then, but I am proud of House of Delegates for doing what we could. We will be back.”

Senate Committee voted to study assault weapons bill for another year. We already know weapons of war don't belong on our streets. I fear mass murder with these weapons between now and then, but I am proud of House of Delegates for doing what we could. We will be back. — Mark Levine (@DelegateMark) February 17, 2020

Lest we forget: Levine was given a great opportunity to define "assault weapon" at a Town Hall by Virginia State Senator Adam Ebbin back in January, and he failed miserably.

This wasn't a case of ‘gotcha’ politics either. It's reasonable to expect that legislators seeking to ban a legal product would at least be able to define it clearly first. After all, some people's freedom could end up depending on that definition. Watch below.

Just last week, the Virginia House of Delegates voted to 51-48 to pass HB 961, a bill that would ban assault weapons and other firearm accessories. Three Democrat delegates joined Republicans in voting against the bill in the House.

State police were forced to clear the House assembly of spectators under threat of arrest when a packed chamber erupted in protest against the advancement of the bill out of a House committee earlier in the month.

Read the full text of “HB 961 Assault firearms, certain firearm magazines, etc.; prohibiting sale, transport, etc., penalties” here.