Lobby Day at the Capitol draws hundreds for and against stricter gun control laws

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- It was Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19. As the General Assembly begins each year, advocacy groups talk to lawmakers in favor of policy they'd like to see passed, including gun policy. 

Three gun restriction laws that will be introduced this year include House Bill 1094 which would create an 11% tax on firearms or ammo that would then be given to gun violence prevention organizations, Senate Bill 323 which would create a ban on untraceable guns or “ghost guns” and most notably, House Bill 217, a bill that would ban anyone under 21 from buying or selling a semi-automatic gun.  

Gun control groups are hoping these stricter gun laws pass, and gun rights groups say it’d be a violation of their rights. Hundreds of people braved the cold and met at the bell tower on Capitol Square to represent both sides.

“We know that strong gun laws save lives, and we want that for the Commonwealth," said Lori Haas with Center for Gun Violence Solutions

Haas was touched by gun violence after her daughter was shot but survived the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 that took 32 people’s lives.  

“My right to life trumps your right to carry a gun anywhere you want," she said.  

Mike, who asked we only use his first name, drove several hours to Richmond to show his support for gun rights.

“Once you take away the 2nd amendment, what’s stopping a tyrannical government from taking the first?” he said. “To the anti-gun people, I would say let’s talk about it. Let me take you out to a shooting range and show you how these guns work so you really don’t think they’re just weapons of mass destructions.” 

Haas believes the bills for gun control will pass, but there will still be more to do.  

“We need programs and funding to support efforts on the ground that interrupt gun violence,” Haas said.

Democrats have the majority in both the state House and Senate, and democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger just took office, giving gun control bills the upper hand once they’re introduced.