2008 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Gun Control

Bob McDonnell: Keep guns out of hands of dangerously mentally ill

This helped spur Congress to pass meaningful, bipartisan legislation to encourage the same result on a national level.

Tim Kaine: Instant background checks including mental health database

I issued an Executive Order to clarify that all who are determined mentally ill and dangerous should be included in the state database. This helped spur Congress to pass meaningful, bipartisan legislation to encourage the same result on a national level.

Since 1991, Virginia has required that anyone purchasing any type of firearm from a licensed dealer undergo a background check. I support 2nd Amendment rights, but if we are to enforce current law keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, we must require instant background checks for purchase of weapons at gun shows.