Virginia Tech

Change follows Virginia Tech tragedy, campus safety review

June 9, 2008 -- Raleigh -- Patients deemed mentally ill by the courts have no business carrying guns in North Carolina, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said Monday in advance of a legislative hearing.

A bill that would keep guns out of the hands of those who have been involuntarily committed is scheduled to be heard Thursday, June 12, before the Senate Judiciary I committee.

Senate Bill 2081, sponsored by Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, would require court clerks to enter mental health commitments into a national database, which would provide the information for gun permit background checks.    » read more »

One Year Anniversary Of Virginia Tech Shootings

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) was joined by Virginia Tech shooting victims and their families and gun safety advocates in front of the Supreme Court in calling on Congress to take up and pass his bill to close the gun show loophole.

Gun show, Houston: Photo by mx5tx (CC)

Similar events to the one at the Supreme Court were held across the country today to mark the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, protest easy access to guns and call on Congress to pass Sen. Lautenberg’s legislation.    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today Senator Obama issued the following statement on the anniversary of the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

"One year after the tragedy at Virginia Tech, families are still mourning, and our nation is still healing. As Americans gather today in vigils and 'lie-ins' - or pray silently alone - our thoughts are with those whose lives were forever changed by the shootings.

Barack Obama: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

Legislation Based on Recommendations of Virginia Tech Review Panel

April 15, 2008 -- Washington, DC - Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would clarify how and when educational institutions can share students’ treatment records when a student poses a threat to himself or others.

The legislation comes on the heels of two reports, commissioned in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and President Bush. The reports found that confusion among school officials, administrators and institutions in interpreting federal education privacy law is often a barrier to taking proactive campus safety measures.    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Tomorrow, April 16, 2008, marks the first anniversary of the horrific incident at Virginia Tech that resulted in the tragic deaths of 32 students and faculty members, and serious injuries to many other innocent victims. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as they mourn their loved ones who tragically lost their lives before their time.

Virginia Tech candlelight vigil, April 17, 2007: Photo by Ashley Dinges (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- April 16, 2007, brought the deadliest day of violence on a college campus in our Nation's history. The horrific crimes committed at Virginia Tech filled our souls with sadness. One year later, we remember the victims murdered and wounded that day.

We join our fellow Americans in praying for the families and friends whose hearts ache for their lost loved ones. We continue to be amazed by the extraordinary Hokie spirit and inspired by the survivors of this tragedy. Students, teachers, and alumni have overcome evil with good by supporting each other with love and compassion. We are humbled by their resilience and confident in the University's bright future.

We pray that God will continue to comfort and heal the people of the Virginia Tech community.    » read more »

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine is calling for a day of remembrance today, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, to honor those lost one year ago at Virginia Tech. He will order state flags flown at half-staff for the day and asks for a statewide moment of silence at noon followed by a statewide tolling of bells.

Virginia Tech candlelight vigil, April 2007: Photo by Ben Townsend (CC)

Governor Kaine will attend the university convocation this morning at 10:30 a.m. on the Drillfield at Virginia Tech. The convocation webcast information, as well as a list of other events, is available at http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/.    » read more »