Coalition of National Gun Violence Prevention Groups and Advocates Celebrates Beginning of 2026 Virginia Session: “Commonwealth Can Chart a Transformational Path Forward”

With gun violence prevention champions leading the Legislature and Gov.-elect Spanberger soon to takethe oath of office, there are significant opportunities in 2026 to save lives from gun violence

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 15, 2026 — At the start of the 2026 legislative session in Virginia, a coalition of national gun violence prevention groups and advocates welcome the opportunity for lawmakers to pass life-saving policies to keep Virginians safe from gun violence. Last year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed more than 20 common-sense gun violence prevention bills; Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, in contrast, promised on the campaign trail: “I will sign legislation into law to make progress on these issues to keep Virginia families safe. I will not veto common-sense proposals like our current governor has done.” 

The Coalition’s priorities this legislative session include: 

• Assault Weapons Ban  (Senator Salim, Delegate Helmer)
• Firearm Purchaser Licensing  (Senator Surovell, Delegate Hope)
• Industry Accountability  (Senators Ebbin & Carroll Foy, Delegate Helmer)
• Ghost Guns Ban (Senator Ebbin, Delegate Simon) 
• Center for Gun Violence Prevention (Delegate Price)
• Secure Storage of Firearms when Children are Present (Senator Boysko, Delegate Downey) 
• Removing Firearms Following Domestic Violence Conviction  (Senator Favola, Delegate Bennett-Parker)
• Closing the Intimate Partner Loophole (Senator Perry, Delegate McClure)

Brady, and their youth advocacy arm, Team ENOUGH, GIFFORDS, and Everytown, along with its grassroots networks Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action are grateful for their longtime partners in the General Assembly for their tireless work championing these bills.

In the coming weeks, advocates will be making their voices heard at the Capitol. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day  advocates, faith leaders, community members, and students will come together in Richmond to ensure that lawmakers prioritize these critical gun safety bills.  And on January 22nd, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action will lobby lawmakers to pass gun violence prevention bills and send them to the new Governor’s desk.

Lori Haas, whose daughter was injured at Va Tech in 2007 and has been leading the fight in Virginia ever since, commented: 

Virginia has provided a blueprint for how to elect GVP candidates and now can lead the nation in passing laws to keep our families and communities safe.  We’ve worked hard in the commonwealth for too many years to pass up this opportunity now - we must pass these life saving measures. We owe it to the victims and their families to do all we can and not squander this moment.  I look forward to joining the House, Senate and Governor to strive for communities free from gun violence.

President of Brady Kris Brown said:

With Virginians electing gun violence prevention champions in last year’s elections, the Commonwealth can chart a transformational path forward to strengthen its gun laws — including holding banning weapons of war, requiring a firearm purchaser license, holding the gun industry accountable for harms they cause, banning untraceable ghost guns, and improving secure firearm storage. The mandate from voters was clear: they want leaders who prioritize public safety, not a continuation of Youngkin’s policies and veto pen. While Washington and the Trump administration promote dangerous ‘guns everywhere’ policies that endanger Americans, Richmond has the opportunity to effect real change to protect Virginians. As a lifelong Virginian, I’m excited to work with our coalition partners as we stand ready to support Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, Jay Jones, Majority Leader Scott Surovell, and Speaker Don Scott – and all our gun violence prevention champions in the legislature – to pass meaningful legislation and save lives across the Commonwealth.

Sean Holihan, GIFFORDS State Legislative Director:

For too long, common-sense safety measures in Virginia have been stymied by a veto pen that prioritized the gun lobby over the lives of families. But today, a new day is dawning in the Commonwealth. With a gun safety trifecta and a champion like Governor-elect Spanberger ready to lead, Virginia has a historic mandate to pass the protections voters have been demanding. By finally holding the gun industry accountable for putting profit above public safety and doubling down on proven community violence intervention programs that stop shootings before they happen, we can build a safer future for every Virginian. GIFFORDS is proud to stand with our partners and these courageous legislators to ensure that in 2026, Virginia chooses progress over politics and safety over the status quo.

Virginia Moms Demand Action volunteer Shantell Rock said: 

We are proud to stand with our coalition partners to champion a legislative agenda that reflects the urgency of the gun violence crisis. After years of relentless advocacy, the movement for gun safety in Virginia has evolved from a grassroots call for change into the driving force of our Commonwealth’s policy agenda. Today, with a gun sense majority and a former Moms Demand Action volunteer as Governor-elect, we finally have the leadership that reflects the will of voters to truly move from advocacy to action. From banning assault weapons to enhancing background checks, we can ensure every Virginian is free from the fear of gun violence.