Lawmakers in Virginia have rejected a proposal to ban the sale of assault weapons.
On Monday, a Senate committee voted to table discussions of the bill, despite efforts from the governor and Democratic lawmakers to see it through this year.
Four moderate Democrats were among those who voted to reject the bill.
The legislation, which would prohibit the sale of some semiautomatic firearms and ban magazines that hold more than 12 rounds, has been part of the state’s ongoing debate over gun control.
Other Virginia gun bills, including ones that would limit handgun purchases to once a month and require universal background checks on gun purchases, have been passed by the state House and Senate and are expected to be signed into law soon.
