Moms Demand Action, students, gun violence survivors rally at Virginia Capitol

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Students and gun violence survivors joined the advocacy group Moms Demand Action at the Virginia state capitol on Wednesday, rallying for gun-related reforms. There were a variety of speakers at the rally on Wednesday, Jan. 15, including former U.S. representative Abigail Spanberger. All of them called for stricter gun laws, such as stronger secure storage laws, enhanced background checks and the prohibition of "ghost guns" -- or unserialized, untraceable firearms. 8News spoke with advocate Scharnelle Hamlin, who said she lost both her nephew and cousin to gun violence years ago. According to Hamlin, stricter gun laws will prevent unnecessary deaths. Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News) "One life lost is one way too many," Hamlin said. "And a senseless life lost to gun violence? We have to demand action. I will stand with Moms Demand Action, and any and every advocacy group, because we need to feel safe in our own homes. We need to feel safe in our schools. We need to feel safe [when] we walk down the streets and [in] higher education." Virginia Republicans introduce bill to prevent transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams Opponents to such measures, like president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League Philip Van Cleave, said they are both ineffective and unfair. "This will not slow down criminals -- but it will make it very hard for law-abiding citizens to buy a gun," he said. "And that's not fair." Rally organizers said they will continue to speak with legislators about prioritizing gun safety measures.

Jan 16, 2025 - 01:00

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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Students and gun violence survivors joined the advocacy group Moms Demand Action at the Virginia state capitol on Wednesday, rallying for gun-related reforms.

There were a variety of speakers at the rally on Wednesday, Jan. 15, including former U.S. representative Abigail Spanberger.

All of them called for stricter gun laws, such as stronger secure storage laws, enhanced background checks and the prohibition of "ghost guns" -- or unserialized, untraceable firearms.

8News spoke with advocate Scharnelle Hamlin, who said she lost both her nephew and cousin to gun violence years ago. According to Hamlin, stricter gun laws will prevent unnecessary deaths.

Moms Demand Action rally on Jan. 15 at the Virginia State Capitol. (Photo: 8News)

"One life lost is one way too many," Hamlin said. "And a senseless life lost to gun violence? We have to demand action. I will stand with Moms Demand Action, and any and every advocacy group, because we need to feel safe in our own homes. We need to feel safe in our schools. We need to feel safe [when] we walk down the streets and [in] higher education."

Virginia Republicans introduce bill to prevent transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams

Opponents to such measures, like president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League Philip Van Cleave, said they are both ineffective and unfair.

"This will not slow down criminals -- but it will make it very hard for law-abiding citizens to buy a gun," he said. "And that's not fair."

Rally organizers said they will continue to speak with legislators about prioritizing gun safety measures.