Youngkin Vetos Anti-Gun Legislation

Virginia’s governor has taken a bold stand for the rights of law-abiding Virginians. Defying Democrats in the General Assembly, Governor Glenn Youngkin took his veto pen Tuesday to 30 pieces of legislation that had been sent to his desk. In a media release issued by his office, Youngkin stated the following:

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of Virginia, and that absolutely includes protecting the right of law-abiding Virginians to keep and bear arms,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “I am pleased to sign four public safety bills which are commonsense reforms with significant bipartisan support from the General Assembly, and offer recommendations to several bills which, if adopted, will make it harder for criminals to use guns in the commission of a violent act.”

The 30 bills vetoed by Youngkin Tuesday included House Bill 799, which would have required the submission of fingerprints for conceal carry permits. Senate Bill 368/ House Bill 183 – relating to the storage of firearms – was also vetoed, as the Governor noted the legislation “could prove problematic in cases of necessary home defense when firearm access may be crucial. Further, it would completely disarm individuals who cannot afford a storage device. While the intent may not be to strip the poorest Virginians of their right to self-defense, the proposal would price them out of the market for a fundamental right.”

The National Rifle Association (NRA) celebrated Youngkin’s veto Tuesday, posting on X—formerly Twitter—that the group’s members salute Youngkin’s “unwavering resolve” to defend the right to self-defense in the state. 

Although Democrats in the state had enough votes to pass anti-gun legislation in the first place, they do not have anywhere near the two-thirds majority needed for a veto override.