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Virginia Delegate Brings AK-47 To State House Floor

By: Michael Pope // January 18, 2013
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  Del. Joe Morrissey brandishes an AK-47 on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates.
  Del. Joe Morrissey brandishes an AK-47 on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates.

The gun control debate became personal on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates Thursday. Henrico Delegate and Democrat Joe Morrissey wanted to make a point about the gun debate and he chose to do it by holding up an AK-47 on the assembly floor.

"So I brought an AK-47 with me," Morrissey said. "Here's the AK-47, pointed at the ceiling, unloaded." Members in the chamber were audibly shocked at the presence of the weapon.

Virginia House Republicans have resisted efforts to ban assault weapons and high-capacity clips as well as block any attempt to close the gun show loophole.

Earlier in the session, the Assembly viewed a secretly recorded video showing an elected official purchasing a firearm without a background check. 

Republican Delegate Jackson Miller said he was in the market for an AK-47.

"And I wouldn't mind if he secretly videotaped the transaction, Mr. Speaker. Thank you," Miller said.

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