2 Anti-Gun Violence Bills Submitted By Fairfax Senator Vetoed

FAIRFAX, VA — On Tuesday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 31 bills passed by the general assembly during the 2024 session. Youngkin also offered amendments to six bills and vetoed 30.

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of Virginia, and that absolutely includes protecting the right of law-abiding Virginians to keep and bear arms,” Youngkin said, in a release on Tuesday. “I am pleased to sign four public safety bills which are commonsense reforms with significant bipartisan support from the General Assembly, and offer recommendations to several bills which, if adopted, will make it harder for criminals to use guns in the commission of a violent act.”

Two of the bills that Youngkin vetoed were introduced by freshman state Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37th), who represents Fairfax City and parts of Fairfax County, including Tysons,and Falls Church.

"SB327 and SB338, along with many other critical pieces of legislation aimed at addressing gun violence in our communities," Salim said, in an email sent to constituents. "This reckless action not only disregards the safety and well-being of Virginians but also ignores the overwhelming support for common-sense measures to curb gun violence."

If signed into law, SB327, which passed by slim margins in the Senate (21-19) and House (51-48), would have instituted age restrictions, preventing anyone under 21 from purchasing a firearm or assault weapon. Exceptions included purchases by law enforcement, correctional or jail officers, or members of the U.S. military, including the Virginia National Guard and members of the National Guard in other states.

SB338, which passed the House (52-45) and Senate (21-19), directed the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the social, physical, emotional and economic effect gun violence has on communities across the state.

"It is deeply hypocritical for Governor Youngkin to claim that public safety is his top priority while simultaneously vetoing crucial gun violence prevention measures," Salim said. "Just last week, he justified his veto of criminal justice reform bills by asserting that public safety must come first. Yet, his actions today demonstrate a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of Virginians."

Youngkin released the following statement explaining his reasons for vetoing SB327:

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 327/House Bill 1174, relating to age requirements for purchasing or transferring certain firearms.

The proposed legislation prohibits any individual under the age of twenty-one from purchasing a handgun or assault firearm, two broad categories of commonly used firearms.

Of particular importance is the basic principle that the constitutionally protected right to possess a firearm is meaningless absent the right to purchase or otherwise acquire the firearm, a necessary corollary to the realization of rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Recently, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that a federal law prohibiting the sale of firearms to adults under the age of twenty-one would be found unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bruen. The Court stated, “[i]f the Court were to exclude 18-to-20-year-olds from the Second Amendment’s protection, it would impose limitations on the Second Amendment that do not exist with other constitutional guarantee.”

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

Youngkin released the following statement explaining his reasons for vetoing SB 338:

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 338, which directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the social, physical, emotional, and economic health effects of gun violence.

The Commonwealth has also made great strides in addressing crimes committed with firearms by establishing programs such as the Operation Ceasefire Grant Fund to implement proven methods such as gang reduction programs, funding state and local law enforcement, and supporting nonprofits engaged in group violence intervention.

The Office of Safer Communities also supports community-based strategies to address community violence's root causes through evidence-informed strategies, such as afterschool programs, mentorships, and strategies to build trust between law enforcement and the
community. Additionally, the Virginia Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund provides resources for violence intervention programs in localities with disproportionate firearmrelated homicides.

Contrary to the historical objectivity and nonpartisanship of JLARC, the proposal would expand the use of studies based on political beliefs. It is troubling that the proposal also makes no mention of criminology or requires JLARC to look at the benefits of self-defense that firearm ownership can provide.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.