House subcommittee knocks down victims’ rights bill

The House Criminal Law Subcommittee voted Wednesday night to kill Arlington Democratic State Sen. Barbara Favola’s bill to protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence.

The bill, SB 864, would have prohibited individuals served with an emergency protective order as a result of assault and battery against a family or household member from possessing a firearm in the home of the alleged victim.

The bill passed the Senate 38-2.

“By defeating this common sense, pro-family bill, House Republicans put the lives of Virginia women and families at risk,” said Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton).  “It is unconscionable that House Republicans decided to put extreme ideology before the safety of victims of domestic abuse.”