Richmond, Va., Jul 11, 2019 / 14:01 pm
The Virginia legislature adjourned Tuesday a special session called by the governor after fewer than two hours. The session was meant to consider gun control bills, and the state's bishops had earlier expressed hope for dialogue.
The July 9 session was called by governor Ralph Northam (D); both houses of the General Assembly are controlled by Republicans with one-seat majorities.
"It is our hope that our elected officials will engage in genuine discussions about comprehensive legislation that will help save lives and make our communities safer," Bishops Michael Burbidge of Arlington and Barry Knestout of Richmond had said in a July 8 statement ahead of the special session.
"We urge our state leaders to engage in civil and meaningful dialogue, seeking to combat all violence in our communities," they added, while also recognizing "that many factors contribute to the violence in our society, which will not be solved by a single piece of legislation."