RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed a variety of gun-related legislation on Tuesday, March 26. However, a law named after the Henrico County teenager shot and killed three years ago received his signature on the anniversary of her death.
On March 26, 2021, 13-year-old Lucia Bremer of Henrico County was walking home with a friend when 14-year-old Dylan Williams, a boy they did not know, approached them with a gun. Williams then shot Bremer multiple times, killing her. He was tried as an adult and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Williams reportedly found the gun he used to kill Bremer loaded in his home. Additionally, he had multiple documented mental health problems, “homicidal ideations” and a history of both violent threats and violent acts.
House Bill 36 and its identical Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 44, have been named “Lucia’s Law.” This legislation, now that it has been signed into law by Youngkin, will create a legal avenue to punish adults who allow children like Williams to have access to firearms.
“The bill provides an affirmative defense to prosecution if the parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care of a child caused or enabled such child to gain possession of a firearm while in a dwelling because of a reasonable belief that he or such child was in imminent danger of bodily injury,” the bill’s text reads. Such an offense would be considered a Class 5 felony.
The patrons of the two bills, Sen. Schuler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) and Del. Rodney Willett (D-Henrico), released a joint statement alongside Lucia’s parents, Jonathan and Meredith Bremer.
“[This law] was designed to prevent tragedies before they occur, ensuring that firearms are kept out of the hands of juveniles who pose a risk to themselves or others,” the statement reads.
Lucia’s parents, who have spoken out in favor of this legislation previously, thanked Youngkin for supporting the measure on the anniversary of their daughter’s death.
“We know that nothing will bring back our Lucia,” her parents wrote. “So the work of parenting her has shifted to telling her story and advocating for change so that we can make Virginia a safer place.”
Willet said he believes Virginia families will be much safer with this law in place.
“I continue to be awed by the Bremer family’s courage and perseverance in speaking out in support of [Lucia’s Law],” Willet wrote. “By sharing their story, they helped legislators and the Governor to understand how necessary this law is to prevent similar, preventable gun deaths from devastating other families.”
Both legislators represent Henrico County, meaning Lucia’s death hit them close to home in a very literal sense.
“Lucia was a bright light in the Henrico community,” VanValkenburg wrote. “This new law, named in her honor, represents a monumental bipartisan victory, further underscoring the Commonwealth’s commitment to keeping Virginia’s children safe in their communities and classrooms.”
Shannon Taylor, the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney, shared her equal support for this move. She previously advocated for Lucia’s Law and spoke before General Assembly members in favor of it.
“Lucia Bremer should be alive today,” Taylor wrote in her statement. “Attending school, chatting with her friends, playing sports, enjoying her family. But she is not, because the murderer’s guardian chose to allow access to a deadly weapon even after warnings.”
