Virginia senator seeks to limit sales of assault weapons

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - 25th District Senator Creigh Deeds is pushing to end gun violence in the commonwealth.

Sen. Deeds’ proposed legislation would ban the new sale and possession of assault weapons manufactured after July 1, 2023. Additionally, the bill says weapons made before this year can then only be owned by people 21 or older, as opposed to 18.

He says this is something that he believes would help his constituents, along with people all over the commonwealth. The senator says this will slow down the surge of weapons onto the street.

“The reality is we’re seeing too much gun violence. We’ve seen the recent raft of shootings in Charlottesville,” Sen. Deeds said. “This bill will help give law enforcement additional tools to help keep us safe. I’m convinced it will save lives.”

Sen. Deeds tried to pass a similar bill in 2020 but failed to gain enough support, though he believes some changes to the legislation could turn it into a law this time around. His proposal is based, with a provision, on the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, which expired in 2004. He says that was successful, which is why he believes his bill could pass.

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