Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, speaks at a Moms Demand Action gun safety rally in Richmond on Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo by Markus Schmidt)
Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, now seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, joined a crowd of activists at the Virginia Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action rally on Wednesday at Capitol Square’s Bell Tower in Richmond.
A mother of three, Spanberger underscored the urgency of tackling gun violence, calling it “the number one killer of kids in our country.”
“This is a horrible statistic and one that should motivate every parent, every community member, to say, what can we do to save the lives of kids?” Spanberger said. She highlighted her experience as a former federal agent who carried a firearm daily and as a legislator who helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major gun safety legislation in decades. “The safety of our children should unite us all,” she added.
Spanberger’s remarks come amid a renewed push for even stronger gun safety laws in Virginia. Since 2020, when a Democratic-controlled legislature passed a series of gun control measures signed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam, the state has become a battleground for gun legislation.
Wednesday’s rally, organized by Moms Demand Action and its student-focused arm, Students Demand Action, precedes next week’s Virginia’s Lobby Day, a gun rights advocacy event held annually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action, highlighted the urgency of addressing gun violence, pointing to the devastating toll the crisis has already taken in 2025.
She cited over 300 shootings in the U.S. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day alone, resulting in 116 deaths, and urged the legislature to take action. “We need our lawmakers to wake up and show up for us, and that’s exactly what we’re going to make clear today. Because we can’t afford to take no for an answer,” she said.
Ferrell-Zabala emphasized Virginia’s progress on gun safety, noting its transformation from being the “NRA’s home turf” to a leader in gun reform. She credited the 2020 passage of landmark legislation in Virginia, including universal background checks and extreme risk protection orders, as a pivotal moment.
She also celebrated last year’s bipartisan success, which saw five gun safety measures enacted into law, thanks to advocacy efforts and legislative leadership.
“We’re back this session to build on that momentum,” Ferrell-Zabala said, dismissing claims that her group’s proposals conflict with the Second Amendment. She stressed that many responsible gun owners support the solutions Moms Demand Action is advancing, reinforcing the nonprofit’s mission to enact lifesaving reforms.
House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, expressed skepticism about Democrats’ push for new gun control measures this year, calling for a focus on tougher penalties for gun crimes rather than restrictions on lawful gun owners.
“We keep hearing about what we should do about gun crime, and their answer is always to go after the law-abiding people and not the criminals,” Gilbert said in an interview Wednesday.
He acknowledged the shared goal of keeping guns out of children’s hands but criticized proposals he believes would overly restrict access to firearms. “I think they would want everybody to be completely unable to access their firearm in the event of an emergency, and that’s a nonstarter for Republicans.”
Gilbert added that while disagreements persist, he remains open to bipartisan efforts that prioritize the safety of children. “Certainly there are things we can do to make our kids safer and that we can agree on, I would hope,” he said.
The five gun safety measures that Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into law last year include a prohibition on auto sears — small devices that modify semi-automatic firearms to function as fully automatic weapons — expanded secure firearm storage tax credits, and laws holding gun owners accountable for allowing children with dangerous histories to access firearms.
Among the attendees of Wednesday’s rally was Daniel Gonzales, a 17-year-old senior at Lewis High School in Springfield, who founded a local chapter of Students Demand Action after being inspired by meeting Virginia Moms Demand Action members during a visit to his school by Vice President Kamala Harris following the 2022 shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
“They inspired me to start a chapter at Lewis High School,” Gonzales said.
The group, which has grown to about 30 members, has been active in gun violence prevention efforts, including canvassing, phone banking, and postcard writing during election season. “All the people in our group are very passionate about gun violence prevention, especially in schools. Keeping our students safe — that’s very important to us,” he said.
Gonzales emphasized how growing up with lockdown and active shooter drills since first grade has made the issue deeply personal. “It’s been scary, it’s been very real for us,” he added. On Wednesday, Gonzales and his group had already met with Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, to advocate for stronger gun safety laws.
Gun control measures that Democrats have introduced for the 2025 legislative session include:
House Bill 1607, sponsored by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, would ban the sale, purchase, or transfer of assault firearms and large-capacity magazines in Virginia, making violations a Class 1 misdemeanor. Exceptions include antique and manually operated firearms or those made before July 1, 2025.
The bill also bars individuals under 21 from possessing assault firearms and imposes a three-year firearm ban for violators. Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, sponsored the identical SB 1181.
Helmer also introduced HB 1608, which would require firearm industry members to implement safeguards against straw purchases, trafficking, and unlawful sales while banning practices that contribute to public nuisances. The measure allows the Attorney General, local attorneys, or injured parties to sue for damages and enforcement, aiming to increase accountability and reduce gun violence.
SB 881 by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, bans the sale, transfer, or possession of unserialized “ghost guns” and undetectable plastic firearms, imposing penalties up to a Class 5 felony. Portions of the law, including regulations on unfinished frames, take effect in 2026, aiming to enhance safety and address untraceable weapons.
Del. Michael Jones, D-Richmond, sponsored HB 1660, which defines “trigger activators” as devices or tools that modify semi-automatic firearms to mimic automatic weapon fire or significantly increase their firing rate.
The bill aims to regulate such devices to prevent their misuse, enhancing firearm safety and reducing potential risks. Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudon, carries a similar proposal in the Senate.
Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, proposes penalties for failing to secure firearms, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies if unsecured guns lead to crimes or injuries. HB 1597 also mandates public awareness on safe storage by 2026 and requires dealers to post storage rules.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, introduced SB 1134, requiring firearms and ammunition in homes with minors or prohibited individuals to be stored in locked, inaccessible containers. Violations would result in a Class 4 misdemeanor. Exemptions include antique firearms and lawful minor access. The bill further mandates firearm dealers to post storage rules and penalties.
HB 1678 by Del. Laura Jane Cohen, D-Fairfax, requires local school boards to notify parents annually about the importance of securely storing prescription drugs and firearms in the home. Notifications, sent via email or text within 30 days of the school year, would also remind parents of their legal responsibility to safely store firearms. Schools must provide the information in multiple languages on their websites.
Del. Amy Laufer, D-Albemarle, sponsored HB 1622 that prohibits handguns from being visible in unattended vehicles. Violators could face a civil penalty of up to $500, and the vehicle may be removed for safekeeping.
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, proposes stricter regulations on firearm transfers by individuals prohibited from possessing guns due to protective orders or domestic violence convictions. HB 1960 mandates that transferees must be at least 21 years old, cannot reside with the prohibited individual, and must notify the court of the transfer. It also allows law enforcement to seek search warrants if there is reason to believe firearms have not been relinquished.
HB 1869 by Del. Adele McClure, D-Arlington, would expand firearm restrictions to include individuals convicted of assault and battery against intimate partners or recent cohabitants.
The bill broadens the definitions of “family or household member” to cover romantic, dating, or sexual relationships within the past 12 months and prohibits firearm purchase, possession, or transportation by those convicted of such offenses after July 1, 2025. Perry, the senator from Loudoun, sponsored a similar measure.
Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, introduced SB 1109, which requires a State Police-issued permit to buy firearms from licensed dealers. Applicants must be 21, complete a safety course, and meet strict criteria. Permits last five years, with penalties for violations, including false applications or failing to return revoked permits.
SB 891 by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, D-Fairfax, mandates a five-day waiting period between completing a background check consent form and purchasing a firearm. The bill includes exceptions outlined in existing law and aims to enhance safety by adding a delay to firearm sales.
Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax, proposes banning individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from possessing or transporting firearms, ammunition, stun weapons, or explosives. Under Tran’s HB 2241, violations would be classified as a Class 6 felony. The bill targets those who commit assault or battery motivated by bias against protected characteristics such as race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
A proposal by Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to carry firearms, large knives, or other dangerous weapons in hospitals providing mental health or developmental services, including emergency departments. HB1977 also requires clear signage at entrances, with exceptions for individuals who had no notice of the prohibition.
And HB 1876 by Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Albemarle, would restrict firearm exemptions in state-owned or leased buildings, including public universities. The bill limits exemptions to individuals authorized by a university’s public safety or law enforcement units and allows governing boards of public universities to prohibit firearms in their buildings.
Moms Demand Action volunteer Shantell Rock urged attendees at Wednesday’s rally to stay engaged in the fight for stronger gun safety laws.
“Now is not the time to turn away,” she said. “You have a voice. You have ideas, and you have the power to make a difference in this movement.”
Rock emphasized that the battle for gun reform is a marathon, reminding the crowd that their efforts go beyond a single election or legislative session. “We are part of something much bigger — to make sure that our gun sense lawmakers know we are in this fight with them and the lawmakers who aren’t on our side know that we’re not going anywhere.”
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