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Legislators: Bills would limit gun access for sex offenders, mentally ill

Posted at 1:11 PM, Jan 15, 2014
and last updated 2014-01-15 14:06:52-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Several legislators including, Sen. Donald McEachin, introduced bills Wednesday they hope will prevent gun violence by keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

The proposals would mean background checks would be required in order to limit access to guns by individuals involuntarily committed for mental health treatment and individuals convicted of stalking or violence sexual crimes.

The legislators argued these are violence prevention bills, not anti-gun bills.

"This is not about the right to bear arms. This is about making sure the people who do not have the right to bear arms don’t bear arms,” McEachin said.

Andrew Goddard, whose son was shot at Virginia Tech, also spoke at the news conference.

Watch CBS 6 News starting at 5 p.m. for more on this developing story.