ICYMI: Mayors Danny Avula and Phillip Jones: “Grief is not enough: Local leadership and state action needed to prevent gun violence”
Washington, D.C. – Today, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Newport News, VA Mayor Phillip Jones penned a joint op-ed calling for legislative action to help their cities prevent gun violence following shootings last week in both Richmond and Newport News.
Both Mayors have taken important steps to make their cities safer and systematically reduce violence in their cities. In Newport News, Phillip Jones has focused on reducing gun violence by setting a measurable reduction goal, creating an Office of Community Safety, investing in youth and community-based prevention programs, and funding initiatives that address root causes like mental health and economic stability. In Richmond, Mayor Avula has established an Office of Gun Violence Prevention to coordinate citywide efforts, emphasized data-driven strategies that focus at-risk individuals, and expanded partnerships with community groups. In their op-ed they call for legislation to pass at the state level that will help them continue to strengthen public safety in their cities.
In the wake of last week’s shootings in Richmond and Newport News — tragedies that left four people dead and many more injured — families are carrying unimaginable pain. We grieve alongside them and ache for the lives forever shattered. At the same time, we cannot accept gun violence as inevitable. We hold two truths in tension: the sorrow of the moment, and the resolve to prevent the next tragedy.
As mayors of two Virginia cities deeply impacted by gun violence, we are committed to balanced, evidence-based solutions that protect our communities. While Richmond and Newport News have distinct histories and strengths, we are united in one truth: reducing gun violence requires strong local leadership, community partnership, and common-sense state policy working together.
This legislative session presents clear opportunities to strengthen that work.
In Richmond, we have built a comprehensive public safety strategy that supports law enforcement while investing in prevention and intervention. Through Safer Communities funding, we offer apprenticeship and employment opportunities to more than 700 at-risk young adults. We are partnering with the YWCA to establish Virginia’s second Family Justice Center so survivors of domestic violence can access critical services in one location.
With Spring Break — a high-risk time for Richmond youth — approaching, Richmond’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention will partner with organizations including REAL LIFE and Trauma Healing Response Network to host programs that reduce the risk of gun violence. Safer Communities funding also supports strategic law enforcement overtime to maintain visibility at these events. This work is making a difference: since January 2025, Richmond has seen a 29% decrease in major crimes, with homicides at an eight-year low. But progress does not mean the work is finished.
Newport News is advancing its Momentum for Peace Community Safety Plan, investing in prevention and intervention strategies rooted in partnership and innovation. Securing Safer Communities designation would strengthen this work. We appreciate the Newport News delegation for advancing legislation that would help make that possible.
Hundreds of firearms are reported lost or stolen from vehicles each year. In Richmond alone, 472 firearms were stolen from vehicles in 2025 — an average of more than one per day. Many later surfaced in the commission of crimes. Each stolen gun represents an avoidable pathway from a parked car to a violent act in our neighborhoods, but the General Assembly is taking action to address this.
House Bill 110 and Senate Bill 496 would require that handguns left in vehicles be stored out of view, and in the case of the Senate bill, properly secured. These measures do not interfere with lawful gun ownership. They reinforce that responsible ownership includes responsible storage, particularly in vehicles, where theft has become a documented driver of illegal gun trafficking. Both Richmond and Newport News have seen how unsecured firearms taken from cars can quickly reappear in the hands of individuals intent on harm. When guns are stolen, they are rarely recovered quickly, and the consequences often ripple across jurisdictions. Simple, responsible storage requirements can disrupt that cycle.
These proposals complement additional legislation that supports survivors of domestic violence, strengthens protective order implementation, and reduces the risk of children accessing firearms. Together, these steps reflect a balanced strategy: investing in youth and community-based prevention while reinforcing common sense firearm policies.
Virginia has the opportunity to model balanced, pragmatic leadership — community-led prevention, strong partnerships with law enforcement, and reasonable policies that save lives while respecting lawful ownership.
We stand together, Richmond and Newport News, grateful for continued Safer Communities investments reflected in both the House and Senate budgets and hopeful for passage of these critical bills. Our residents deserve more than moments of unity after loss. They deserve sustained action that keeps families safe and communities whole. By investing in prevention, strengthening partnerships, and advancing responsible gun policies, Virginia can lead with both compassion and resolve. We are ready to do our part.
