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Virginia Gun Violence Survivors Release Letter Imploring Governor Not to Backtrack on His Commitment to Gun Safety; Survivors and Moms Gather at Virginia State Capitol to Say “No” to Dangerous Deal With The NRA

1.29.2016

RICHMOND, Va. – Today, Virginia resident Andy Parker, whose daughter Alison was shot and killed on live television in August, other Virginia gun violence survivors and members of the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will hold a press conference immediately following Governor McAuliffe’s press conference at the State Capitol. Virginia survivors and moms will express their opposition to the deal Governor Terry McAuliffe has reportedly negotiated with the gun lobby that would weaken Virginia’s standards on the concealed carry of firearms.

More than twenty Virginia gun violence survivors who are part of the Everytown Survivor Network today wrote an open letter to Gov. McAuliffe making the case that, “this deal is a dangerous rollback that puts public safety at risk.” The Everytown Survivor Network and Virginia Moms have driven more than 800 phone calls to Governor McAuliffe, asking him to reconsider this deal. A fact sheet on how rolling back the Commonwealth’s concealed carry law would undermine Virginia’s safety is available here.

WHAT: Virginia gun violence survivors and members of the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action speaking in opposition to Gov. McAuliffe’s reported deal.

WHO:


  • Andy and Barbara Parker, whose daughter, Alison Parker, age 24, was shot and killed on live television while reporting live for WDBJ7 News along with her cameraman in August 2015.
  • Uma Loganathan, whose father, Professor G.V. Loganathan, was murdered in the mass shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, along with 31 of his fellow faculty and students.
  • Lori Haas, whose daughter, Emily Haas, was shot and survived the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007.
  • Members of the Virginia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

WHEN:
January 29, 2016
2:15 P.M. or immediately following the governor’s press conference

WHERE:
House Briefing Room
General Assembly Building, First Floor, Corner near House Room C
201 N. 9th Street (intersection of 9th and Broad Streets)
Richmond, VA 23219

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

Just last month, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring strengthened enforcement of existing Virginia law by refusing to recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits from 25 states with laws weaker than Virginia’s. Now, McAuliffe is reportedly on the brink of reversing course, which would endanger Virginians by having different standards for concealed carry permit-holders – a strong one for Virginia residents and weaker standards for everyone else.

Attorney General Herring’s actions last month ensured that people visiting Virginia are subject to the same safety standards as residents of the Commonwealth, as required by existing Virginia law. A January 2015 report from Everytown for Gun Safety detailed the vast discrepancies in permitting standards in states across the country. It highlights the gun lobby’s efforts to undermine strong state laws by passing federal legislation that forces states to recognize permits from all other states.