RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is promoting a series of gun-control measures he says promote public safety while still respecting individual gun rights. The Democratic governor announced seven proposals at a Capitol news conference Friday ahead of the start of the legislative session next week. The proposals include a so-called “red flag” measure to take away guns temporarily from people who are considered dangerous. A number of other states have passed similar measures since a mass shooting at a Florida high school last year. All of the proposals have failed previously in the Republican-controlled General Assembly and will likely face a similar fate this year. But Northam and gun-control advocates say they believe there is a growing momentum on their side for stricter gun laws.
