by Brandon Jarvis
Democrats in the Virginia Senate advanced legislation Monday that would outlaw the sale of assault weapon-style firearms in Virginia. During the debate, Republicans and Democrats sparred after Sen. Mark Peake, R-Rockingham, brought up the Second Amendment and standing up to a “tyrannical government.”

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Saddam Salim, D-Fairfax, does not ban the possession of assault weapons, but it will implement a 10-round magazine limit and ban their sale, regardless of when they were manufactured.

The legislation would allow the sale of these weapons to family members and their transfer in a will.

“We have firearms to fight against the tyrannical government,” Peake said. “And this bill is a direct infringement on the Second Amendment fight against a tyrannical government.”

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, quickly responded with a point of order referencing the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last week.

“A man was killed in Minnesota with a firearm when he was trying to fight tyrannical government,” Deeds said. “And I found it very ironic that Senator Peake is raising the point that we have got to protect these firearm rights to fight the tyrannical government.”

Pretti was in possession of a firearm while he was present at a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis. Pretti was wrestled to the ground by several border patrol officers and shot multiple times in the back while on the ground. In video of the incident, Pretti does not appear at any moment to pull out his weapon.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Pretti approached officers with a weapon and fought back when they tried to disarm him.

Video evidence does not support that statement.

Bill Essayli, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, responded to the DHS’s assertion that Pretti had a gun in a post on social media.

“If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you,” Essayli wrote.

The National Rifle Association quickly pushed back against Essayli’s comment.

“This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong,” the NRA wrote. “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”

The legislation in Virginia is likely to change as it continues to move through committees.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has indicated that she will sign this legislation.

“In the last four years, dozens of gun safety bills have been vetoed,” Spanberger said during her first address to the General Assembly last week. “I am ready to sign these bills. Please send them.”