Virginia Governor Vetoes Dozens Of Bills
On Tuesday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed more than two dozen gun control bills that had recently been passed by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. Among the 67 bills that the Republican governor took action on, 30 were vetoed due to their potential impact on law-abiding gun owners.
According to a statement provided to Fox News Digital, Governor Youngkin stated that he took these actions in order to fulfill his duty to support and defend both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He also noted that while he vetoed the majority of the gun control bills, he did sign four bills into law that will make it tougher for criminals to use firearms in violent acts.
One of the main pieces of legislation vetoed by Governor Youngkin would have made it a misdemeanor to import, sell, manufacture, purchase, or transfer popular semi-automatic firearms like the AR-15 and high-capacity magazines made after July 1. The governor stated that these bans would have violated the Constitution's protection of the right to bear arms for self-defense.
In addition to this, Governor Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have required state police to track and report on the use of the state's existing red flag laws and six other bills related to gun safety. He also vetoed two bills that would have introduced a five-day waiting period for gun purchases, stating that this would hinder individuals who may need a firearm for self-defense.
Governor Youngkin also rejected a bill that would have banned guns on college campuses and buildings owned by public universities and institutions of higher education. He argued that these institutions already have the authority to regulate their respective campuses and that this should be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The National Rifle Association's lobbying arm, the NRA-ILA, praised Governor Youngkin for his vetoes, stating that they were a victory for the Second Amendment. Executive director Randy Kozuch commended the governor for refusing "to bow to unconstitutional overreach" and for standing up for the citizens' right to bear arms.
These vetoes come shortly after Democrats made gains in local elections, holding control of the State Senate and claiming control of the House of Delegates. Governor Youngkin had previously signaled his intent to veto many of the gun control bills after vetoing a previous piece of legislation on March 8 that would have required individuals accused of domestic violence and subject to a protective order to turn over their firearms.
In a statement earlier this month, Governor Youngkin urged the General Assembly to shift their focus towards proven strategies to combat violent crime, such as mandatory minimums for armed criminals and the presumption against bail. Democrats in the state argue that stricter gun control laws would help combat crime and point to mass shootings as evidence that laws need to change. On the other hand, Republicans argue that criminals will ignore gun laws and that stricter crime policies would be more effective.
However, Governor Youngkin did sign four public safety bills into law, including legislation that prevents parents from allowing their children access to firearms if they pose a credible threat of violence and a bill that prohibits the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm conversion device known as an auto sear.
In total, Governor Youngkin vetoed 30 gun control bills, including measures that would have banned assault firearms, imposed waiting periods for gun purchases, and required tracking of red flag orders. The governor cited his duty to protect the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens as his reason for vetoing these bills. He also offered recommendations and signed four bills into law that aim to prevent criminals from using firearms in violent acts.
The General Assembly has the power to override these vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote, but Democrats do not have the numbers to support this effort. Governor Youngkin's actions have sparked a larger debate on the role of gun control laws in reducing violence and promoting public safety in Virginia.