September 29, 2010
By Dwight Jones

This week, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a bipartisan national coalition that I belong to, published a report analyzing the movement of illegal guns across the country. The report found that states with the weakest gun laws are the main sources of guns used in out-of-state crimes. Yet again, the data shows that Virginia is one of 10 states in the country that supply the highest number of guns used in out-of-state crimes.

In 2009 alone, 2,557 guns sold in Virginia ended up being used in out-of-state crimes; only Florida and Georgia exported more crime guns than Virginia. The statistics paint a clear picture: Criminals who want easy access to guns know that Virginia is the place to go.

As mayor of Richmond, I am troubled by how easy it is for criminals to gain access to guns that are used to take innocent lives. I am even more alarmed by the lack of progress our state has made in passing laws to cut off the supply of guns to criminals. Right now, any criminal or individual with serious mental illness can walk in to any of dozens of gun shows that take place in Virginia every year and buy a gun without having to pass a background check.

The Mayors Against Illegal Guns report reveals that states that do not require background checks for sales at gun shows supply guns used in out-of-state crimes at more than twice the rate of states that have closed the Gun Show Loophole. Also, states that have not closed the Gun Show Loophole are far more likely to be the source of crime guns that are distributed through illegal trafficking networks.

In 2009, more than 200 people across the commonwealth were killed with guns. So far this year, in Richmond alone, 25 people have been killed with guns. These statistics are horrifying and they are indicative of Virginia's insufficient laws aimed at keeping guns out of the wrong hands. Yet, the Virginia General Assembly has struck down legislation to close the Gun Show Loophole and Congress has not acted.

There is something we as Virginians can do. We can require background checks at gun shows to protect public safety without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. We can cut off the supply of guns to criminals who endanger the safety of Virginians. We can close our doors to traffickers who rely on Virginia gun shows to support their thriving out-of-state crime businesses. We do not have to be a leading contributor to violent crime in America.

Closing the Gun Show Loophole has the support of mayors, law enforcement, and faith leaders throughout the commonwealth. Our legislators in Virginia and in Congress cannot continue to ignore this ongoing threat to public safety. There is no time to waste when lives are at stake. We must pass legislation to close the Gun Show Loophole in Virginia once and for all.

Dwight Jones is mayor of Richmond. Contact him at askthemayor@richmondgov.com.