VA GOV SUMMONS LEGISLATURE TO CONVENE FOR SPECIAL GUN CONTROL SESSION IN LIGHT OF RECENT VA BEACH MASS SHOOTNG, a PLEA TO TUNE "PAIN INTO PURPOSE"

Virginia Gov. Ralph NorthamOn the heels of the mass shooting at a municipal complex in Virginia Beach last Saturday, Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special legislative session to finally pass more restrictive gun control laws. Northam said as an Army doctor he know what a gun would can do to a body first hand. 

NORTHAM: Virginia lost almost 3 people a day to gun violence in 2017 Northam said in a  press conference on the  Virginia Beach shooting.  ". . .God is in control, but we must do more than give our thoughts and prayers.  We must give Virginians the action they deserve." he said, expressing urgent  need for gun control. 

"I will be asking for votes and laws and not thoughts and prayers. He asked that gun control be put to a vote by the entire general assembly.

In his appeal, Northam stated,

"I am calling on legislators to become second responders and  heal our Commonwealth."

He also noted the tragic Virginia Tech shooting twelve years ago and another shooting over the weekend suggesting that the state does not want a reputation for death and violence. Northam urged vigorous debate and acknowledged it is often hard to do the right thing, but