6 Virginia Gun Reforms McAuliffe Issued Thursday

Gun reform is at the front of political debates across the country after the mass shooting Oct. 1 at an Oregon community college.

On Thursday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order with six changes to Virginia gun policy, including a new joint task force on gun crimes. It’s members will include prosecutors and law enforcement.

“We must continue to work to overcome political resistance to commonsense gun safety legislation, but in the mean time I am committed to using every power of my office to prevent senseless killings,” McAuliffe said.

Here are the six orders:

I. Establish Joint Task Force to Prosecute Gun Crimes

The task force will be led by the Attorney General and the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, with representatives from state and local prosecutors and law enforcement, the Virginia State Police, the Department of Criminal Justice Services, along with federal partners. The group will develop strategies to strictly enforce existing gun laws, according to McAuliffe.

2. Authorize Attorney General to Coordinate and Bring Criminal Cases Against Firearms Law Offenders

The attorney general will coordinate prosecutorial efforts against illegal firearms sales.

3. Establish Tip Line for Illegal Gun Activity

Citizens will be able to report violations of the gun laws and to collect a reward for any successful prosecutions flowing from the information provided.

4. Trace Guns Used in Crime

Virginia State Police will set a policy to request tracing of every gun used in the commission of a crime. “Obtaining this information will be critical to enforcing the gun laws already on the books in Virginia,” according to McAuliffe.

5. Encourage Judges and Prosecutors to Seek Gun Forfeiture in Felony and Other Cases

Encouraging prosecutors and judges to use their powers to require persons prohibited from obtaining guns to forfeit guns they may already possess.

VI. Banning Firearms in State Government Buildings

The open carry of firearms will be prohibited in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, unless held by law enforcement, authorized security, or military personnel authorized to carry firearms in accordance with their duties.

See more info at Virginia.gov.