Terry McAuliffe on Gun Control Democratic nominee for Governor; previously DNC Chair

Keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers

This year, we have an opportunity to strengthen the domestic violence protection law, which is already the toughest in the nation, by expanding it to include non-family abuse orders as well as permanent protective orders. This change would keep more Virginians safe from gun crime. Additionally, let's make 2017 the year we make universal background checks for firearm sales the policy of our Commonwealth.

Restore the one handgun a month law

I have proposed several common sense bills aimed at keeping Virginians safe from gun violence without infringing on the rights of responsible, law abiding citizens. These proposals will keep guns out of dangerous hands by

• closing the gun show loophole;
• preventing violent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining fire arms;
• revoking concealed carry permits from those who do not meet their legal obligation to pay child support; and
• curtailing gun trafficking by restoring the one handgun a month law.

Brady Bill was the right thing to do

1983: On first hunting trip, show a turkey buzzard

Understand, coming from Syracuse, the only turkeys I'd ever seen were the kind you unfold like an accordion and put down in the middle of your Thanksgiving dinner table. I'd never even held a gun, much less gone hunting. So, that 1st morning, we were out of bed before 5 AM, and the 1st thing I knew, they'd thrown a shotgun in my hands. I liked the feel of that shotgun in my hands, but I had one small problem How was I going to load the thing? I had no idea.

Before long there were birds flying all around me. I pointed my shotgun and pulled the trigger and BLAM!! The black bird with the big red head didn't have a chance.

I got me a turkey! I got me a turkey! I started yelling.

But something was up. The laughter was going on too long.

Finally someone told me the truth: I'd shot a turkey BUZZARD, which is a vulture, not a turkey.

I was hooked on hunting after my 1st weekend.

Prevent unauthorized firearm use with "smart gun" technology.

Make America the “Safest Big Country” in the World
After climbing relentlessly for three decades, crime rates started to fall in the 1990s. Nonetheless, the public remains deeply concerned about the prevalence of gun violence, especially among juveniles, and Americans still avoid public spaces like downtown retail areas, parks, and even sports facilities.

We need to keep policing “smart” and community-friendly, prohibiting unjust and counterproductive tactics such as racial profiling; focus on preventing as well as punishing crime; pay attention to what happens to inmates and their families after sentencing; use mandatory testing and treatment to break the cycle of drugs and crime; and enforce and strengthen laws against unsafe or illegal guns. Moreover, we need a renewed commitment to equal justice for all, and we must reject a false choice between justice and safety.

Technology can help in many areas: giving police more information on criminal suspects so they do not rely on slipshod, random stop-and-search methods; allowing lower-cost supervision of people on probation or parole; and making it possible to disable and/or trace guns used by unauthorized persons.

Above all, we need to remember that public safety is the ultimate goal of crime policy. Until Americans feel safe enough to walk their neighborhood streets, enjoy public spaces, and send their children to school without fear of violence, we have not achieved public safety.

Goals for 2010
• Reduce violent crime rates another 25 percent.
• Cut the rate of repeat offenses in half.
• Develop and require “smart gun” technology to prevent use of firearms by unauthorized persons and implement sensible gun control measures.
• Ban racial profiling by police but encourage criminal targeting through better information on actual suspects.
• Require in-prison and post-prison drug testing and treatment of all drug offenders.