Northam pushes GOP on gun control, but some advocates see little hope for special session
Gov. Ralph Northam is urging Republicans in the General Assembly to reconsider their stalwart opposition to gun control measures following a mass shooting in Virginia Beach, announcing Tuesday he’ll convene a special session of the General Assembly to consider a package of reforms.
But so far GOP lawmakers have shown no signs that they’re likely to bend on the issue and some advocates expressed little hope for action.
“If Newtown didn’t do it, if Virginia Tech didn’t do it — you know, these are some very intransigent people,” said Andrew Goddard, who dedicated himself to advocating for gun safety laws after his son was shot during the 2007 mass shooting at Virginia Tech, which left 32 dead.
Northam’s proposals include a ban on high capacity magazines and allowing local governments to prohibit guns in municipal buildings, both of which he said directly address the circumstances of the attack at the city offices in Virginia Beach in which the shooter, a city employee, used extended magazines and a sound suppressor.
Read more: https://www.virginiamercury.com/2019/06/04/northam-hopes-to-ratchet-up-pressure-on-gop-but-some-advocates-see-little-hope-for-special-session-on-gun-control/