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Lawmakers push to raise ‘assault’ weapon age to 21 | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-02-19 14:43:00

(The Center Square) – Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and 18 Senate colleagues introduced new legislation that would raise the minimum age limit to purchase ‘assault-style’ weapons from 18 to 21, reigniting the debate over gun laws and public safety.

The Age 21 Act is part of a broader effort to reduce gun violence by limiting access to ‘assault-style’ weapons for young buyers, bringing federal law in line with already existing restrictions on handgun purchases, which already require buyers to be at least 21 years old.

“Everyone in America should be able to live free from the fear of injury or death caused by a firearm,” said Kaine in a statement. “One of many commonsense steps we can take to reduce that risk is limiting young people’s access to assault weapons—just like we already limit their access to handguns. I’m proud to help introduce this bill to raise the legal purchasing age for assault weapons to 21, and will keep pushing for additional legislation to make our communities safer from gun violence.”

Supporters argue individuals under 21 are more likely to commit acts of gun violence, citing high-profile mass shootings and gun-related homicides. High-profile incidents in Buffalo, Uvalde and Parkland were carried out by 18-year-old shooters using legally purchased assault rifles.

“Six of the deadliest mass shootings since 2018 were committed by individuals 21 and under. The Age 21 Act could have saved lives then, and will continue to do so if passed into law,” said Alexa Browning, Policy Manager at March For Our Lives. “Firearms are still the leading cause of death for young people, yet we continue to allow access to deadly weapons while restricting substances like alcohol and tobacco. We are deeply grateful to Senator Padilla for taking decisive action in this fight to prevent further tragedies and protect our future.”

Research from Everytown for Gun Safety indicates that mass shootings involving ‘assault’ weapons result in significantly higher casualties when compared to those committed with other firearms.

Florida, California and Washington have already enacted laws raising the age limit to purchase ‘assault’ weapons to 21, though some of these restrictions have faced legal challenges. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld California’s lawsuit in 2022, but similar measures in other states remain unresolved.

Virginia lawmakers previously attempted to pass a comparable bill, House Bill 2, which proposed prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing, possessing, or transferring ‘assault’ firearms, making violations a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, Gov. Youngkin vetoed the bill, citing concerns over penalizing lawful gun owners instead of violent criminals.

“Virginia has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth has reduced penalties for criminals, contributing to violent crime. Enhancing penalties for crimes committed with firearms will reverse this trend. Our most significant gap, however, has been in our behavioral health system, which is why substantial investments in behavioral health are necessary.”

The Firearms Policy Coalition, which is challenging similar age restrictions in court, argues that prohibiting legal adults under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms violates and sets a dangerous precedent for any future gun control measures. 

The post Lawmakers push to raise ‘assault’ weapon age to 21 | Virginia appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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Youngkin removes Ellis, appoints Cuccinelli to UVa board | Virginia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 13:17:00

(The Center Square) – Bert Ellis is out, Ken Cuccinelli is in, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s latest move to reshape University of Virginia leadership is already drawing fire from alumni.

Youngkin removed Ellis from the University of Virginia Board of Visitors on Tuesday, citing repeated violations of the board’s code of conduct.

His letter did not specify which actions crossed the line but said the conduct violated both state and university guidelines.

Ellis, appointed by Youngkin in 2022, had become a vocal critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. He publicly supported eliminating the university’s office and called on the governor to hold university leadership accountable.

In a response Tuesday night, Ellis said he never planned to resign and urged Youngkin to reverse his decision, warning diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Virginia “has not been eliminated.”

He called on the governor to hold university President Jim Ryan accountable and restore “common sense” to the university by “ending DEI for good, stopping antisemitism, and reducing costs.”

“This fight is not for the faint of heart and requires a fighter to ensure that the governor’s and President Trump’s agendas are achieved,” Ellis said. “I never agreed to resign, nor would I ever do so.”

He accused the governor of being misled by “bad actors who don’t actually want to see results” and described UVa’s leadership as “ideological bullies.”

In a plea to Youngkin and the public, Ellis said: “We must dig in and hold the line.”

He ended his statement by reaffirming his mission to make UVa “a beacon of excellence, the shining city on the hill, and a model for the nation.”

Just hours after his removal, Youngkin announced his intent to appoint Ken Cuccinelli, a former Virginia attorney general and Trump-era Homeland Security official. Cuccinelli, a UVa alumnus, said he would work to “restore a culture of merit and end all forms of discrimination.”

The Jefferson Council, a conservative UVa alumni group, said in statement that they were “deeply disturbed” by Ellis’s removal, calling it “ill-timed” and claiming he was being punished for demanding oversight. In a statement, they called him a “steadfast champion” of transparency and said the decision sends the wrong message to students and faculty.

Youngkin praised Cuccinelli as a “man of deep principle” whose legal experience would help UVa navigate “the ongoing changes and challenges in higher education.”

Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, posted to social media she hoped the move would “restore respectful and sensible conduct” to the board.

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Chesterfield man accused of killing father

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www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-03-27 18:20:32

SUMMARY: A Chesterfield man, Frank Wyatt, confessed to killing his father, Richard Wyatt, in a shocking admission at a Richmond police station. Frank, 46, told detectives he choked his father during a physical altercation, checked on him after he stopped breathing, then pushed his father down the stairs. The two had a history of domestic issues, including previous assaults. Frank later sought refuge at a shelter before reporting the crime. He faces a second-degree murder charge. Neighbors are devastated, with many expressing disbelief over the tragic event. Authorities suspect Frank may suffer from a mental health condition.

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Chesterfield Police are giving more details about a “suspicious death” at a home.

Story: https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/03/27/court-documents-reveal-chesterfield-man-confesses-killing-father/

#12onyourside #crime #chesterfieldva #localnews #suspiciousdeath

For more Local News from WWBT: https://www.12onyourside.com/
For more YouTube Content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-MRi3cyDN0DO1AvvVYFlg

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Chesterfield Police investigating ‘suspicious death’

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www.youtube.com – 12 On Your Side – 2025-03-27 08:11:06

SUMMARY: Chesterfield Police are investigating a suspicious death on Golden Brook Drive after responding to a request from Richmond police around 2:15 PM. Officers discovered one person deceased inside a residence. The identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the death remain unknown. Neighbors expressed shock at the heavy police presence, noting the normally quiet nature of the neighborhood. One neighbor remarked that the situation indicated something serious was happening. Investigators have been working on the scene for several hours and will continue their investigation. Updates will be provided later tonight.

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Chesterfield Police are investigating what they say is a “suspicious death” at a home.

For more Local News from WWBT: https://www.12onyourside.com/
For more YouTube Content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-MRi3cyDN0DO1AvvVYFlg

#chesterfield #12onyourside #investigation #police #Richmond #localnews #safety

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