RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Ralph Northam has signed multiple gun control measures that were passed during the General Assembly session into law, the governor’s office announced Friday. Legislation signed by Northam includes bills requiring background checks on all firearm sales, establishing a red flag law in Virginia and reinstating the state’s one-handgun-a-month policy.

In the wake of the Virginia Beach mass shooting, several Virginia Democrats campaigned on passing more gun safety measures ahead of the 2020 session. Northam called on state lawmakers to pass additional measures during a special session, but it was adjourned by Republican leadership, who had control of the state legislature before the November elections, after roughly 90 minutes.

“We lose too many Virginians to gun violence, and it is past time we took bold, meaningful action to make our communities safer,” Northam said in a Friday statement. “I was proud to work with legislators and advocates on these measures, and I am proud to sign them into law. These commonsense laws will save lives.”

Republicans held a slight majority in the state Senate and House of Delegates before voters went to the polls but high voter turnout during the off-off year election helped Virginia Democrats seize control of both chambers before election night was over. The shift in power made way for Democrats to fulfill their promise of passing gun control legislation.

“In November, Virginians called out loud and clear for meaningful legislation to address gun violence in the Commonwealth. They demanded action and we delivered. I am grateful to the Governor for his leadership and for signing these bills that will save lives.”

Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine also released a statement after Northam signed the measures into law:

“These commonsense reforms are an enormous achievement that will make Virginia communities safer. We have seen the scourge of gun violence in the tragedies of Virginia Tech and Virginia Beach and the all too common shootings in our cities and towns. As elected officials, it’s our responsibility to learn painful lessons and take steps that can help save lives. I’m so proud of the General Assembly’s efforts to pass comprehensive legislation to reduce gun violence. We must build on these efforts at the federal level.”

Sen. Tim Kaine

The governor’s office provided a list of measures signed by Northam:

  • Senate Bill 70 and House Bill 2 require background checks on all firearm sales in Virginia, which will prevent guns from ending up in dangerous hands.
  • Senate Bill 240 and House Bill 674 establish an Extreme Risk Protective Order, which creates a legal mechanism for law enforcement to temporarily separate a person from their firearms when they represent a danger to themselves or others. Virginia is now among 19 other states and the District of Columbia in enacting this type of law.
  • Senate Bill 69 and House Bill 812 reinstate Virginia’s one-handgun-a-month rule to help curtail stockpiling of firearms and trafficking.
  • House Bill 9 requires gun owners to report their lost or stolen firearms to law enforcement within 48 hours or face a civil penalty.
  • House Bill 1083 prevents children from accessing firearms by increasing the penalty for recklessly leaving firearms in their presence.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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