The Virginia legislature has passed nearly all of Governor Ralph Northam’s slate of gun control bills, including a “red flag” law and universal background checks. The only major restriction that didn’t get legislative approval was an “assault weapon” sales ban. That bill has been pushed to next year’s session.

The governor issued this statement of appreciation for all of the hard work by the civilian disarmament community in pushing these bills over the line.

This is an historic day in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Every year we lose more than one thousand Virginians to gun violence. Thirty-two lost at Virginia Tech. Twelve people shot and killed at their workplace in Virginia Beach. A nine-year-old girl shot and killed at a cookout. A three-year-old shot and killed right outside his home. And many more Virginians lost every day to tragedies that do not make headlines, but devastate families and communities, nonetheless. Today, this year, Virginia has said enough is enough. The emergency of gun violence must end. This legislation will help get us there. Thank you to the many gun violence prevention advocates, some of you still grieving over the loss or injury of a loved one, who have fought for years for today. And thank you to the legislators who finally listened to the voices of Virginians and voted to pass commonsense gun safety legislation. These bills will save lives.

– Virginia Governor Ralph Northam