“I thank Governor Northam for his leadership in calling for a special session of the Virginia General Assembly to address gun violence in our commonwealth. 

The governor is right – thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need action to bring common sense gun regulation to Virginia, and localities need the authority to protect their communities. 

Now is the time for EVERY ONE of our state lawmakers to stand up and be counted. We owe it to the families in Virginia Beach, to the family of 9-year-old Markiya Dickson and to every life lost in Richmond and across the commonwealth due to gun violence. 

Every Virginian deserves to go to work or play in the park or walk our streets without fear. It’s time for courage and accountability. November is coming.”