^ this.

“Gun control isn’t insignificant, and I think sensible laws like background checks and assault weapons bans may help reduce gun violence, but they’re certainly not going to reduce significantly or stop tragedies from occurring. A real solution is much much broader and much much more complex.

I agree with some PPs above. Economy and environment are more important priorities to VA.”

Sure there is no silver bullet on gun control but a state like VA passing a number of common sense reforms could help and maybe just maybe create some momentum for other purple states too. And the other stuff that would help round it out is what Republicans are willing to do too.

Economy - meh. Dems just need to keep the ship steady here. Republicans care about the economy too so there is no once in a generation shot to do good in that. The priority is not to “break it” by going overboard on taxes and regulation.

Environment - this does not feel like a huge problem area to me sitting in NOVA. It sure would not get me fired up as a major victory if this was their main focus.

-OP

Our gun problem is the east coast’s gun problem

So, while it doesn’t eliminate gun problems, a couple new laws would help to reduce them

Also, eff the NRA

Anonymous wrote:With Dems now taking full control of VA, what do you think should be the very first thing (or #1 priority) to get done?

My answer: gun control. In fact I will be pissed if they focus on anything else off the bat and squander this opportunity.

I think you might be placing way too much faith in gun control statutes.

Gun control isn’t insignificant, and I think sensible laws like background checks and assault weapons bans may help reduce gun violence, but they’re certainly not going to reduce significantly or stop tragedies from occurring. A real solution is much much broader and much much more complex.

I agree with some PPs above. Economy and environment are more important priorities to VA.

1) Loosening Dominion Energy’s chokehold on the Commonwealth

2) Fostering/Encouraging continued economic growth and investment across the entire Commonwealth, especially Southside VA and SW VA

3) Further weaning the Commonwealth’s economy of the teat of federal spending

“Raising taxes.”

To do what with them?

Anonymous wrote:With Dems now taking full control of VA, what do you think should be the very first thing (or #1 priority) to get done?

My answer: gun control. In fact I will be pissed if they focus on anything else off the bat and squander this opportunity.

Raising taxes.

I agree OP. I’ve been a single issue voter since 2012 and this is the first chance we’ve had in VA.

1. Election and voting rights protection
2. Guns
3. Environmental protection, including multiple sub-issues ranging from state regulation of particulate emissions and water to the re-regulation of factory farming

Gun control