As a pediatrician I have long been appalled that firearms are the number one cause of death of our children- and having lived thru both mass shootings in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, I immersed myself in the data to understand the problem- we know FIrearm licensing , and concealed carry licensing that incorporates safe storage training saves lives. We know that the access to assault weapons so easily , especially in people with prior threats or concerning obsessions is a reason for most of our mass shootings in America. We know that in domestic violence access to firearms , even in dating relationships , is why women continue to die even with protective orders in place. As a physician I strongly feel concealed carry , especially assault weapons has no place in hospitals , colleges , schools and public buildings. In Virginia we can have laws that really protect people without infringing on the right of sane citizens to own guns. Brief waiting periods, safe storage education for all gun owners, safe storage requirements for all gun owners and a strong emergency protective order system will save many lives and I urge you to support them.

I am writing to oppose the current slate of firearm restriction bills before the General Assembly. While these proposals are framed as public safety measures, in practice they disproportionately harm marginalized Virginians — including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals (especially trans people), immigrants, and low-income residents — who often face higher risks of targeted violence and slower or unequal police response. These bills add costs, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles to exercising a fundamental right. Increased fees, mandatory waiting periods, feature bans, and expanded disqualifications fall hardest on people with limited financial resources, unstable work schedules, or justified concerns about their personal safety. For many vulnerable individuals, the ability to lawfully and promptly acquire a firearm is not about ideology, but about self-defense. History shows that restrictive gun laws are most aggressively enforced in minority communities, amplifying disparities in arrests, prosecution, and legal exposure — even when no harm has occurred. Expanding civil liability, criminal penalties, and subjective risk standards increases that risk. Public safety should not come at the expense of civil rights or equal access to self-protection. Policies that price people out of their rights or delay lawful self-defense do not address the root causes of violence and instead leave the most vulnerable less safe. I respectfully urge you to oppose these bills and support approaches that protect both public safety and the rights of all Virginians, regardless of income, identity, or background. Thank you for your time and consideration.