Democratic Candidates For Governor Debate Gun Control

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Democratic candidates for Virginia governor Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam pitched how they can push gun control in a state historically for gun rights at a forum Sunday. Around 150 people came out to the forum at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town.

The forum was hosted by Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC, a gun control group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Captain Mark Kelly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The group typically supports Democratic candidates in elections. The moderator was David Chipman, a former special agent with the Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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Both politicians have represented rural areas of the state and grew up learning how to use guns, but they have advocated for gun control during the primary election.

Much of the discussion centered on realistic proposals that could become law. Both candidates expressed support for proposals such as universal background checks, safe gun technology, a one-gun-a-month policy and a so-called "assault weapon" ban.

But the candidates acknowledged the importance of Democrats gaining control of the House of Delegates from Republicans. All House of Delegates seats are up for election this year, and Democrats would need to flip 17 seats to gain control.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has vetoed Republican bills strengthening gun rights, and a similar scenario could happen if the legislature remains Republican and the governor Democrat.

During the forum, both candidates spoke during individual portions and took questions from ARS and Facebook Live viewers.

Like in previous debates, former Congressman Perriello defended his past relationship with the National Rifle Association, which is based in Fairfax, Virginia. He had been endorsed in his 2010 unsuccessful run for reelection. He says the NRA's push for guns in schools and college campuses was a "turning point" for many, and he would oppose such legislation as governor.

But he believes he can find middle ground on legislation. "That fact that I've come from a conservative district and come from a background of having been endorsed by the NRA previously, I think we can try to build some of those of those communities saying, 'Look we're not trying to take all of your weapons. We're simply trying to make sure there's an airtight universal background check,'" he said.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Gov. Northam evoked emotion in his push for gun control. His experiences seeing soldiers killed in Operation Desert Storm and treating victims of gun violence as a doctor have become some of his talking points on the issue. "I know all too well what assault weapons do to human beings, and I am adamant when I say we do not need assault weapons on our streets and our society," he said.

The forum did not mention the recent 10th anniversary of Virginia Tech, although Northam has touted support from Virginia Tech families in campaign ads and both candidates visited the school to mark the day.

Americans for Responsible Solutions has not yet endorsed a candidate. In other news, Northam received an endorsement Monday from Pride Fund, an LGBTQ gun control lobbying group formed after the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting.

Both candidates now have F ratings from the NRA, unlike the A ratings of their Republican counterparts. See more on all of the candidates' positions on guns here. The primary election is June 13.

Watch the whole discussion on Facebook Live here.

Do you think gun control proposals have a chance in Virginia? Let us know in the comments.

Images via Patch staff