Gov. Northam says decision to revisit a gun ban in 2021 would be 'up to the discretion of the legislature'
Virginia's Democrat-controlled Senate last January
rejected Northam's bill to ban
assault weapons, including some semiautomatic rifles, and voted to take up the matter again in a year.
Nearly one year later, Northam, whose term expires in 2022,
told WRIC on Monday that he'll leave the decision to revisit a gun ban "up to the discretion of the legislature."
"Whatever they do, I’ll be supportive of," Northam said.
Northam called the proposed assault weapons ban "a campaign promise" that "a lot" of Democrats ran on.
"I think it was a large reason why the House switched from Republican control to Democratic control," he said. "That one bill on assault weapons didn't move forward, but six other pieces of legislation did and I think because of that Virginia is a safer state."
The Virginia governor signed a
series of new gun laws in April targeting background check expansions, a cap on handgun sales, "red flag" laws, penalties for adults who allow children to handle firearms and rules for residents reporting stolen guns.
Starting on
New Year's Day, Virginia will also require in-person training for concealed carry permits.....
