John, our country continues to reel from a spate of mass shootings — most recently in Louisville, Nashville, and Dadeville, Alabama. Here in the Commonwealth, we also just observed the 16th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting.
As someone who lost my biological father to gun violence at the age of two, I'm furious and heartbroken that so many state and federal politicians in our country refuse to act and pass comprehensive policies that would prevent needless death and spare so many families from tragedy.
It doesn't help that "norms" like the Senate filibuster have blocked much-needed federal legislation. It doesn't help that our campaign finance system lets the gun lobby spend relentlessly to protect its agenda. It doesn't help that the Supreme Court last year rolled back the ability of states to regulate guns.
I've been a fearless voice against the gun lobby my entire career. I'm seeking to return to Richmond to help with the work that must still be done to address gun violence in our Commonwealth, and I hope that we can set an example for other states to follow.
When I was in the House of Delegates, I helped pass landmark gun safety legislation, which included expanding background checks for all gun sales. In the State Senate, I'll push for even bolder action — such as an assault weapons ban.
Now is the time for our leaders to buckle down and continue the work of protecting our communities from gun violence. With your help, I hope to join our State Senate come next January and lend my voice once again to this work.
