(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Virginia Republicans Voted No on Safe Storage. Then, A 13-Year-Old Brought a Gun to School. [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-05-08
As a lifelong pediatrician and dad of four, I know firsthand the threat gun violence inflicts on our kids. When gun violence erupts at school, healthcare professionals like me step in to help them heal. But in 2025, teachers are on the front lines of gun violence, focusing as much class time on education as on emergency response.
I am Dr. Mark Downey, the Democratic nominee for the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 69th District. I am not a politician. I am a pediatrician. I built my career on earning trust from my patients and now from the community I hope to serve.
Every day, I see what happens when families cannot access affordable care, when politics come between a patient and her doctor, and when veterans and military families are left to fend for themselves. I am running for the House of Delegates to protect kids like my patients and pass laws requiring safe firearm storage.
Last Friday, a 13-year-old student brought a semi-automatic pistol to Grafton Middle School. As faculty initiated a “hold in place” to limit hallway movement, parents across York County waited over an hour for confirmation that, thankfully, no one was physically harmed. I am grateful to the York County School Division and the Sheriff's Office for their response and commitment to enforcing the necessary disciplinary actions.
But my neighbors, particularly parents, in the 69th District of Virginia remain shaken by yet another incident of local gun violence.
Since 2020, firearm injuries consistently rank as the leading cause of death for children and teens in Virginia, with most guns sourced from their homes or those of family and friends.
That is why Democrats in the General Assembly passed several commonsense and children-first school safety measures in the most recent legislative session. For example, House Bill 1678 directed schools to notify parents about the importance of safely storing guns and prescription drugs. Senate Bill 1134 required safe storage whenever minors were in the home.
Most Virginians—including 56% of Republicans and 67% of Independents—support such safe storage laws, particularly in the presence of our kids.
Yet, Virginia Republicans, including my opponent Chad Green, voted no. Democrats passed them anyway, but Governor Youngkin vetoed each with the stroke of a pen. Less than two months later, a 13-year-old brought a semi-automatic gun to Grafton Middle, forcing a school just down the road into lockdown.
York County and the 69th District deserve a delegate who protects our kids. That is why I am running. Virginia Democrats will require safe storage of firearms and invest in commonsense and children-first policies.
In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Tim Kaine came within striking distance of flipping the 69th District. In 2025, we can unseat Republican incumbent Chad Green and keep Virginia blue, but I need your help.
Every dollar helps us fight back. Join our campaign and donate through the link below today.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/5/8/2321243/-Virginia-Republicans-Voted-No-on-Safe-Storage-Then-A-13-Year-Old-Brought-a-Gun-to-School?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
