RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia House Democrats, who have been coined the “Muscular Minority” by Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Jeff Schapiro, today defeated a bill that would have allowed guns in ambulances.

“Our caucus stood strong and killed this misguided bill that would have allowed concealed weapons in ambulances,” said House Democratic Leader David J. Toscano and Caucus Chair Charniele Herring. “The bill would have made it to the governor’s desk last year, but this year we had 49 Democratic voices to amplify the conversation. More guns in more places is not the solution to the gun violence crisis. We are heartened that several of our Republican colleagues joined us to defeat this bill, and we again reiterate our call that they revive legislation to institute common-sense gun reforms.”

“House Republicans may finally be getting the message that the solution to the gun violence crisis is not simply to put more guns in more places, especially not in high-stress situations,” said Delegate Marcus Simon, who spoke against the bill on the floor. “Firefighters and first responders reached out to us and expressed their opposition, saying this bill would be harmful to public safety. We are encouraged that a few of our colleagues joined us to help defeat this bill, and we hope that they will join us in taking action and pushing forward legislation to stem the gun violence crisis.”

Realizing they didn’t have the votes, House Republicans previously killed their own legislation to allow guns in churches by sending it back to a committee.