On February 4th, the Virginia State Senate could have passed landmark common-sense gun legislation: Senate Bill 1382 would have prohibited domestic abusers—those who have been convicted of assaulting their family and household members—-from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Access to a gun makes it five times more likely that a woman will die at the hands of her abuser. On average, 53 women are shot and killed every month. More than half of the women killed annually are killed by a current or former intimate partner. Approximately 1.9 million Virginia residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. People who present harm or risk to other people should not have a lethal weapon. It’s that simple.

The bill failed in the Senate after multiple democrats joined the republican bloc and voted it down.

Instead of helping progress towards safer communities, William and Mary’s state representative, Monty Mason of VA Senate District 1, decided to jeopardize the lives of current survivors and victims of domestic abuse by voting against the bill. Senator Mason has previously made multiple commitments to students of the College of William and Mary that he will vote in our best interests—-in the best interests of his own constituents. Yet, with his nay vote, Mason has shown he lacks the courage to commit to a gun violence prevention platform, despite his previous recorded statements on the matter. Fortunately, there is another identical bill, HB 1992, which just passed the House and is now being debated in the Senate. This bill also prohibits domestic abusers from possessing or buying a firearm. If this bill passes, Virginia state law will finally mirror federal law, and Virginian law enforcement will be able to save potential future victims. 

As his electorate, it is incumbent upon us as William and Mary students to hold our representatives accountable when they disappoint us as Senator Mason did this past week. By signing this petition, you are helping hold our public servants accountable. Demand that Monty Mason support HB 1992 and reiterate his commitment to keeping our community safe. Demand that he change his actions, or we will change his seat.