Alexandria’s Own State Senator Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Celebrates Major Legislative Victory
RICHMOND, Va. — Alexandria’s own State Senator Elizabeth Bennett-Parker celebrated a major legislative victory Tuesday as Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB93 into law, legislation Bennett-Parker says will help keep guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers.
“This afternoon, I was thrilled to watch the Governor sign my HB93 to keep guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers,” Bennett-Parker wrote on social media following the signing ceremony. “This bill, and the others signed today, will save lives. Thank you to all of the advocates whose work brought us here today.”
According to the Virginia Legislative Information System, HB93 strengthens Virginia’s procedures for requiring people convicted of certain domestic violence offenses — or subject to protective orders — to surrender or transfer firearms they are prohibited from possessing. The law also establishes procedures for verifying compliance with court orders related to firearm possession.
The bill was among a package of public safety measures signed Tuesday by Spanberger, whose office said the legislation is intended to reduce gun violence and strengthen protections for victims of domestic abuse.
The signing ceremony drew lawmakers, advocates, law enforcement officials and community leaders from across Virginia. In a photo Bennett-Parker shared from the event, the governor signs the legislation beneath a large blue backdrop reading, “Virginia Is For Safer Communities.”
For Bennett-Parker, the moment marks another milestone in a public service career deeply rooted in Alexandria.
A lifelong Alexandrian, Bennett-Parker attended local public schools before earning a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and later completing graduate studies at the University of London, according to her official Virginia Senate biography.
Before entering politics, she became well known in Alexandria’s nonprofit community. She co-led Together We Bake, an Alexandria-based workforce training program that helps women overcome barriers to employment, and founded Fruitcycle, a social enterprise focused on reducing food waste.
Bennett-Parker was elected to Alexandria City Council in 2018 and later served as vice mayor. During her time at City Hall, she focused on issues including affordable housing, transportation, environmental sustainability and public safety.
In 2021, she won election to the Virginia House of Delegates. Earlier this year, she was elected to the Virginia Senate in a special election to succeed longtime Alexandria legislator Adam Ebbin after his election to Congress, according to results reported by the Virginia Department of Elections.
Tuesday’s bill signing represents one of Bennett-Parker’s first major legislative achievements as a state senator.
Advocates for gun violence prevention praised the measure. Organizations supporting the legislation have long argued that access to firearms significantly increases the risk of death in domestic violence situations and that stronger safeguards can save lives.
Bennett-Parker echoed that sentiment in her remarks Tuesday.
“These bills will save lives,” she wrote.
For Alexandria residents who have watched Bennett-Parker rise from City Hall to the Virginia Senate, Tuesday’s ceremony was more than a bill signing. It was a hometown lawmaker standing on the state’s biggest stage — and celebrating a victory she believes will make Virginia families safer.
