RICHMOND, Va. – House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano and Caucus Chair Charniele Herring today issued the following statement:

“We are happy that House Republicans are taking a step to take a close look at school safety, and we accept their invitation to participate in their select committee on the issue. We are nonplussed, however, that House Republicans have announced a committee that by their own admission, will not discuss the issue of gun violence.

“The issue of safety in schools is not a substitute for a greater conversation on gun violence, which is a crisis not just in our schools, but in spaces both public and private in communities throughout the nation. As we participate in this select committee, we will also be convening meetings throughout the Commonwealth to discuss the greater issue of gun violence, and we invite House Republicans to participate in this initiative as well. As part of this effort, we will hold town hall meetings to discuss the gun violence crisis, and we encourage our Republican colleagues to join us at these meetings. While we may have different views about how to diminish gun violence in America, there is bipartisan consensus in Virginia that we must redouble our efforts to address not just school safety, but also gun safety in America.”