RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats in Virginia are trying to make the public case for greater gun restrictions ahead of a special legislative session next month spurred by the fatal shooting of 12 people at a city office.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney joined family members of gun violence victims and other advocates Monday at a Richmond church to stress what they said is the need for greater gun control.

Kaine discussed his experience with gun violence as a former mayor of Richmond and governor of Virginia. Kaine was chief executive of the state in 2007 when a student with a history of mental problems fatally shot 32 people at Virginia Tech. He called it the worst day of his life.