(CNN) Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam called a special session of the state legislature to take up gun-control measures in the wake of Friday's mass shooting in Virginia Beach.

"I will summon the members of the Senate and the House of Delegates to meet in special session for the purpose of passing common sense public safety laws," Northam said at a press conference Tuesday.

He added, "I will be asking for votes and laws, not thoughts and prayers."

Twelve people were killed in an attack at a Virginia Beach city building after a gunman, who was a former employee, opened fire Friday afternoon. Law enforcement officers found two .45-caliber pistols legally purchased by the shooter at the scene — one pistol had a suppressor and several empty extended magazines, police said. The gunman was killed in a shootout with police. Questions remain about why the shooter purchased the weapons and how long he was planning his attack.

Northam said "this weekend's tragedy" must "instill in us a new level of urgency to act."

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