Call Issued To End Gun Violence at Roundtable

By Randy Singleton

Community Affairs Correspondent

New Journal and Guide

HAMPTON

Brian Moran, Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, moderated a Governor’s Roundtable on Gun Violence Monday night (June 24) at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in the city of Hampton. 

The event was packed by scores of local residents and community leaders who are concerned and outraged about the recent wave of mass shootings in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, and the daily gun violence reported by local media outlets in the seven cities.

Second Amendment supporters and gun regulation advocates all expressed their concerns to Secretary Moran.  Earl Lewis, uncle of police-slain Portsmouth teen William Chapman, and Norfolk Nation of Islam Minister Ernest Muhammad expressed the need for more government action regarding gun safety and increased funding for youth activities.

Local resident and business owner Sharika Shabazz urged officials to be fair and unbiased when discussing gun violence and race.