Safety & Gun Reform

Proactive Safety & Violence Prevention

Gun violence continues to devastate communities across the country, making neighborhood safety and violence prevention urgent priorities for every family in Northern Virginia.

Why This Matters to Arlington

While Northern Virginia benefits from strong state gun safety laws, tackling gun violence requires proactive investment in local violence intervention programs, youth support systems, and community-led safety initiatives before crises happen. Breanna is dedicated to fighting for evidence-based community safety solutions in Richmond.

A Personal Note from Breanna

"Policy isn't abstract; it is deeply personal. A while ago, a guest entered my home carrying a concealed handgun without ever telling me. Before leaving, they accidentally left the loaded firearm sitting out, completely unattended, in a place where anyone, including my dog, could have accessed it.

Even when there is no malicious intent, leaving a firearm exposed in a private home creates an immediate, terrifying hazard. Homeowners have a fundamental right to know when a deadly weapon is brought into their space so they can protect their loved ones, their guests, and their pets.

That experience is why I actively stand alongside gun safety leaders at events with leaders like Gabby Giffords, and why I participated in the Demand a Seat program, an Everytown for Gun Safety Victory Fund educational training program designed to bring the fight for gun safety directly to elected office. I want to ensure that I am trained, prepared, and fully equipped to bring meaningful, life-saving policy to Richmond. Common-sense firearm safety means closing these legal loopholes so no household in Northern Virginia is caught off guard in their own living room." — Breanna Tatel

Key Legislative Priorities

1. Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Act

Breanna Fights For: "Stopping Violence Before It Starts."

Traditional law enforcement alone cannot address the root causes of gun violence. Without sustained funding for community-led intervention, hospital-based violence prevention, and mental health crisis response, local neighborhoods remain vulnerable to preventable cycles of violence.

• What it does: Creates a state grant program funding evidence-based Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs, hospital-based violence intervention initiatives, and youth mentorship networks across Northern Virginia. It mandates coordination between local health departments, community organizations, and crisis response teams.

• Why it matters: It invests directly in proactive, community-centered safety programs that reduce gun violence, support survivors, and keep Arlington neighborhoods safe without relying solely on punitive measures.

2. Mandatory Firearm Disclosure in Private Residences Act

Breanna Fights For: "Protecting Homeowners and Families' Right to Know."

Under current Virginia law, property owners have the right to prohibit firearms in their homes, but individuals with concealed carry permits are not legally required to disclose that they are carrying a firearm before entering a private residence. This loophole leaves homeowners unknowingly exposed to potential hazards, such as guests bringing hidden firearms into a home and leaving them unattended where children, visitors, or pets can easily access them.

• What it does: Requires individuals carrying a firearm to explicitly disclose the presence of the firearm to the property owner or resident before entering any private home or residential property, giving homeowners full authority and informed choice over safety in their own living spaces.

• Why it matters: It respects homeowner autonomy and protects families, pets, and children from unattended or undisclosed firearms, ensuring that gun safety laws extend responsibly into private spaces without compromising personal safety.

Stand With Us

Effective governance starts with listening to constituents and keeping our neighborhoods safe. Breanna is ready to bring an accessible, responsive, and safety-focused approach to Richmond.