Democratic Candidates for Governor to Discuss Guns in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Democratic candidates for governor will participate in a forum on gun violence in Alexandria Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. It will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town (1767 King St.) in the Grand Ballroom.

Former Congressman Tom Perriello and Lieutenant Gov. Ralph Northam are running for the Democratic nomination. The candidates will discuss their positions on gun control and reducing gun violence.

The forum will be hosted by Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC, a gun control group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Captain Mark Kelly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The group typically supports Democratic candidates in elections. The moderator is David Chipman, a former special agent with the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Democratic candidates have spoken in favor of proposals like background checks on the campaign trail, particularly on the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting on April 16.

The Super PAC has not endorsed a candidate yet. Northam has been endorsed by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Northam's votes on gun control have been mixed. He voted on a background checks for private gun sales bill that was defeated in 2009 and as lieutenant governor cast the vote to defeat a bill to allow concealed carry without permits last year. However, he has voted with pro-gun advocates at times.

Northam argues that he can work with Republicans and Democrats. "My reputation is to work with folks from both sides of the aisle. But if we can pick up some seats and provide us some leverage in Richmond, I think that will be to our benefit as well so that's what we're planning to do as well in 2017," said Northam May 10, NBC29 reported.

Perriello has not always been completely against the pro-gun side. During his term in Congress, he once wrote to President Obama opposing then-Attorney Gen. Eric Holder's so-called "assault weapon" ban reinstatement in 2009. "To even consider reinstating an 'assault weapon' ban is an affront to our Founding Fathers, who so clearly understood the importance of the ordinary citizens' right to keep and bear arms," he wrote. During an unsuccessful run for reelection in 2010, Perriello had received an A rating from the National Rifle Association.

At an April Democratic debate, Perriello clarified that he was not with the gun lobby. “I called them a ‘nut-job, extremist organization’ and compared them to the John Birch Society,” he said. “I don’t imagine those checks are in the mail.”

Both candidates now have F ratings from the NRA, unlike their Republican counterparts. The primary election is June 13.

Image via Steve Helber/Associated Press