WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Virginia’s Democratic candidate for attorney general Jay Jones released his comprehensive plan to address public safety, which includes his proposals to combat violent crime, get illegal guns off the streets and promote child safety.  

Jones’ opponent, GOP extremist AG Jason Miyares, has consistently failed to protect Virginians and stand up to the Trump administration for breaking the law. While MAGA Miyares continues to put politics before people, Jones intends to shift more resources to restore the AG office’s focus on targeting violent crime, drug trafficking, sexual abuse, and repeat offenders. Jones’ plan also includes the creation of a child safety unit within the AG’s office and holding lawbreaking gun manufactures accountable through investigation and prosecution.  

Key highlights:  

• “‘We really want to focus on stopping violent crime and supporting our victims, so we’re going to restore a department-wide focus on targeting violent crime, drug trafficking, sexual abuse and repeat offenders,’ Jones said.”
  
• “Jones’ plan includes a drug trafficking unit, which he said does not exist in the current Attorney General’s Office. The unit’s goal would be to improve regional partnerships and communication to work with other states to stop the flow of drugs in and out of Virginia.”
• “‘I always supported law enforcement when I was in the General Assembly. That’s why I voted for budgets that increased pay raises for law enforcement across the commonwealth,’ Jones said.”
• “‘And now, as we embark on this campaign, we really want to hone in on what is going to be most successful to stem the tide we’ve seen here in Virginia, to make us more safe.’”
• “The child safety unit would ‘identify child predators and help bring them to justice and really protect a vulnerable population that I think deserves a lot of our attention,’ Jones said.”
• “Jones, who as an assistant attorney general in Washington D.C. sued the nation’s largest manufacturer of ghost gun kits, says he would make cracking down on illegal guns a major focus.”
• “Jones wants to use the full force of the attorney general post to hold gun manufacturers accountable, including through using civil statutes on consumer protection grounds where possible.”
• “His office would use the proceeds from any settlements with gun manufacturers to fund violence interruption and gun safety programs that can reduce shootings and gun deaths, especially programs that keep kids engaged in healthy activities.”
• “‘I am supportive of programs that are going to make Virginia more safe. I’m supportive of programs that are going to afford people the opportunity to thrive,’ Jones said.” 

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