Following is the text of an open letter to Sen. Frederick M. Quayle (R-13).

Dear Senator Quayle,

Thank you so much for your yes vote on S.B. 1257. As you know, our daughter, Nicole White, was murdered in her German class at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007. Our family continues to find peace in God, but also continues to look to you and other elected officials in our state legislature to do what is necessary to protect the public from gun violence. We were therefore incredibly heartened to see you support legislation to close the “gun show loophole.”

This is not about taking away citizens’ right to keep and bear arms, and closing the gun show loophole would have no effect on this right. Law-abiding citizens have no problem passing background checks, and they would continue to be able to buy firearms as they please.

We also realize that Cho did not purchase his handguns at a gun show. However, like the Virginia Tech Review Panel, we are concerned that the next shooter — unable to pass a background check because of criminal convictions or a history of mental illness — could go to a Virginia gun show and purchase firearms from a private seller, with no questions asked.

Sadly, our family is now a statistic of gun violence, and there are thousands more like us across the Commonwealth. Please know that your support for closing the gun show loophole means the world to those of us who lost their loved ones after dangerous individuals gained easy access to guns. We hope you will once again vote yes on S.B. 1257 when it comes to the floor of the Senate for consideration.

Our warmest regards,

Mike, Tricia and Evan White