Abigail Spanberger’s Plan Threatens Liberty in Virginia. 2A Education Preserves It

Mom At Arms
Sep 25
3 min read

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger has pledged to sign sweeping gun control legislation if elected, including bans on "assault-style" weapons, ghost guns, and high-capacity magazines. While her proposals may be well-intentioned (especially to those who are not educated fully on the topic), they risk undermining constitutional rights, alienating responsible gun owners, and failing to address the root causes of "gun violence." (For the sake of this article, that's what I'm calling it.) More importantly, they ignore a proven and less divisive solution: firearm safety education.

Let's breakdown some of Ol Abs' Bloomberg paid gun control arguments, shall we?

Assault-Style Weapon Ban: Misleading and Ineffective

Spanberger supports banning the sale and transfer of “assault-style rifles”. But this term is often used to describe semi-automatic firearms that function similarly to common hunting rifles.

Her Argument: These weapons are used in mass shootings and should be restricted.

2A Fact Check: Rifles, of any kind, account for only about 3% of gun homicides in the U.S. annually. Banning them based on cosmetic features does little to reduce violence and disproportionately affects lawful gun owners.

Ghost Gun Restrictions: Overreach Without Clear Impact

Ghost guns, or firearms assembled from kits or 3D-printed parts, are another target of Spanberger’s agenda.

Her Argument: These guns are untraceable and pose a threat to law enforcement.

2A Fact Check: While traceability matters, there’s limited evidence that ghost guns are a major contributor to crime. Most criminals obtain firearms through theft or illegal sales. They're also known to Dremel or sand down serial numbers on certain firearms in order to make them less traceable. Banning kits risks criminalizing hobbyists without solving the problem.

High-Capacity Magazine Limits: Symbolic, Not Substantive

Spanberger supports limiting magazine capacity.

Her Argument: Smaller magazines reduce the lethality of shootings.

2A Fact Check: Shooters can carry multiple magazines, and reload times are often negligible. These laws affect sport shooters and lawful owners more than actual threats.

Safe Storage Laws: Good Intentions, Better Alternatives

Spanberger backs tougher penalties for failing to keep loaded firearms away from minors.

Her Argument: This protects children and prevents tragic accidents.

2A Fact Check: While safety is essential, criminalizing parents after accidents may not be the best approach, because it doesn't solve the actual problem. Education and proactive outreach are more effective and less punitive.

Firearm Safety Education Is a Better Path

Instead of bans and penalties, Virginia should invest in firearm safety education, which has shown measurable success in reducing gun violence—especially in high-risk communities.

What the Data Shows

A University of Maryland study found that firearm safety training could significantly reduce gun violence in high-risk communities. Many individuals at greatest risk had never received formal training and stored guns in unsafe, easily accessible places.
The GAO identified 16 national and local programs promoting safe firearm storage. These programs, like Project ChildSafe, have distributed over 37 million free safety kits across the U.S., including cable locks and educational materials.
RAND’s research shows that 61% of gun owners have received formal safety training, and states with training requirements for concealed carry permits tend to have lower rates of accidental shootings.

Why Safety Education Works Better Than Bans

Empowers families to make informed decisions about storage and handling.
Reduces accidents through awareness, not fear.
Builds trust between communities and law enforcement.
Preserves constitutional rights while promoting public safety.

Real Safety Comes from Knowledge, Not Control

Abigail Spanberger’s gun control proposals may sound like “common sense,” but they risk alienating responsible citizens and failing to address the deeper causes of violence. Instead of sweeping bans and punitive laws, Virginia should invest in firearm safety education, community outreach, and mental health support.

"Gun violence"... VIOLENCE... is a serious issue, but the solution isn’t less freedom.

It’s more responsibility.

While politicians like Abigail Spanberger advocate for bans and restrictions, the data shows that education is a more effective, inclusive, and sustainable solution. Firearm safety programs reduce accidents, improve storage, and protect children, without infringing on rights or alienating responsible gun owners. If you would like to know more about how you can become involved in educating others on firearm safety, especially in Virginia, consider joining the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and reach out to me, Jill McDaniel- VCDL Academy Director.