Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker released the following statement recognizing the anniversary of the Virginia Beach mass shooting:
“A year ago today, 12 innocent Virginians were killed and another four were wounded in a tragic mass shooting. Our hearts go out to the victims' families and the survivors who are still grappling with the trauma from that day. It's going to take a long time to recover, but the people of Virginia Beach have truly shown to be a resilient and caring community that can come together and embody the motto of VB Strong.
And since that day, Democrats across Virginia have responded with action. We came together and passed common sense gun safety legislation that will make our communities safer. From passing universal background checks to giving localities more power to restrict firearms in public spaces, these new laws are a significant step after Virginians spent years waiting for progress.
There is still a lot of work to do, both to repair Virginia Beach and make our Commonwealth safer. Today let's remember a dark moment in Virginia's history and resolve to work together to prevent these tragedies from happening again."
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