As the calendar year ends, the number of mass shooting incidents has risen within the Commonwealth. After yet another one at a Chesapeake Wal-Mart this past Tuesday, in which a manager shot and killed six people before taking his own life, the call for more gun control measures is being pushed by the Virginia House of Delegates Democrats.

This past Wednesday, they released a statement, with the plan to introduce more bills for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session starting in January 2023, according to WRIC.

The statement read as follows:

“Tragedies like what took place at UVA just last week and in Chesapeake last night are all too common in America and across the Commonwealth. It is unacceptable that six more families will have an empty seat at their Thanksgiving table this year.

”The Virginia House Democrats have consistently put forth legislation to create safeguards against this persistent gun violence. Yet time and time again, Glenn Youngkin’s MAGA administration and NRA-funded House Republicans have stood in the way of protections and cut funding for gun violence prevention. They’ve even sought to repeal common sense measures like red flag laws.

”Our thoughts and prayers go out to every victim and their families. But thoughts and prayers without action are empty. Enough is enough. We can do better than just thoughts and prayers in Virginia.

”House Democrats will raise this issue again in our new session — it is past time for the other side to stand with us and protect Virginians. During next year’s session we plan to support legislation that works to increase industry accountability and put age restrictions on certain weapons, we will also propose bills to ban the use of ghost guns, and create limits on high capacity magazines. Finally, we will work to address the issue by empowering communities and community based organizations to deal with the crippling effects of poverty, our lack of mental health resources, and to create more youth engagement programs.”