Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Advances In Committee

Democratic lawmakers in Virginia are advancing legislation to ban the sale of assault weapons and the possession of high capacity magazines despite fierce opposition from gun owners. A state House committee on Friday, advanced the legislation backed by Governor Ralph Northam to ban the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including the popular AR-15 style rifles and prohibit the possession of silencers and magazines that hold more than 12 rounds. Gun owners packed the committee room Friday morning and erupted in protest when the measure passed. Capitol Police cleared the committee room of almost every spectator after the vote.