On March 23rd 2021 in Newport News, VA, my step-granddaughter, Courtney Dwyer was shot and killed by a man who then shot and killed himself. This person has been identified as Gregory Lavon Curtis. We believe Mr. Curtis had plans to kill himself but chose to take an innocent victim with him. There is no indication that they knew each other. As a retired Veteran, he was then given a military burial with honors in South Florida National Veteran's Cemetery.  Under US Code 38, 2411 a veteran who is found to have committed a Federal or State capital crime for which a sentence of imprisonment for life penalty may be imposed will be prohibited from a military burial. Approximately 33 US states can impose a life sentence for 2nd degree murder. Virginia is not one of them. This code should be modified to reflect the crime, not the punishment that varies by state. The definition of 2nd degree murder is the same regardless of what soil it happens on. 

We, the undersigned want US Code 38, 2411 amended to include 2nd degree in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia regardless of state penalties.