Virginia’s Democrat Gov. Signs ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban into Law

[mystery-ak]

Virginia’s Democrat Gov. Signs ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban into Law

AWR Hawkins 15 May 2026

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed a ban on popular semiautomatic rifles and shotguns into law Thursday which will take effect July 1, 2026.

On March 9, 2026, Breitbart News reported the ban had cleared the Virginia legislature and was headed to Spanberger’s desk.

Ammoland News noted that the legislation, SB 749, specifies that “importing, selling, purchasing, or transferring a prohibited firearm would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.” It also “restricts the sale or transfer of certain large-capacity magazines defined in the statute.”

SB 749 also bans a number of semiautomatic shotguns and certain semiautomatic, centerfire pistols, WRIC reported

WTVR pointed out that Spanberger signed the ban Thursday and subsequently released a statement, which said in part, “I am signing this bill into law because firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets. We are taking this step to protect families and support the law enforcement officers who work every day to keep our communities safe.”

On April 10, 2026, Breitbart News noted that Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon made clear the DOJ would sue Virginia if Spanberger signed the “assault weapons” ban. Time to watch and see.

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/05/15/virginias-democrat-gov-signs-assault-weapons-ban-law/

[mystery-ak]

Immediate Response: NRA, SAF Sue Over Virginia ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban

On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed an “assault weapons” ban legislation into law and the NRA and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) immediately filed a lawsuit.

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/05/15/immediate-response-nra-saf-sue-over-virginia-assault-weapons-ban/

[Fishrrman]

The marxist/communists of Virginia are on a hell-bent, pedal-to-the-metal binge to prove themselves as the "leftmost state in America". If they keep goin' the way they're goin', they may even beat out CA, MA, IL, and WA state...

By the way, there isn't ONE state in which such AR-15 style rifle bans has been overturned in the courts or repealed. Once they're there, they're THERE ...

Those of you who live in gun-friendly states (what I call the "traditional freedom states") simply don't understand what's going on ...

[rangerrebew]

More Virginia Prosecutors, Sheriffs Say They Won't Enforce 'Assault Firearm' Ban
By Cam Edwards  | 1:01 PM | May 22, 2026
   
 
Multiple lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal court since Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill outlawing the sale, manufacture, and transfers of so-called assault firearms and large capacity magazines, as well as another measure prohibiting the carrying of "assault firearms" in most public spaces. Spanberger is also facing an enforcement challenge in addition to the legal challenges, with a growing number of county sheriffs and Commonwealth Attorneys declaring their intent not to enforce the new laws if they take effect on July 1.

Earlier this week I reported on two prosecutors who've publicly stated they have no plans on enforcing the laws against peaceable citizens. That number has grown to at least five Commonwealth Attorneys who serve Spotsylvania County, Smyth County, Powhatan County, Pulaski County, and Scott County.


I reached out to Buckingham County Commonwealth Attorney Kemper Beasley III for comment, and late Thursday night I head back from the prosecutor, who told Bearing Arms:

https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/05/22/more-virginia-prosecutors-sheriffs-say-they-wont-enforce-assault-firearm-ban-n1232628#google_vignette

[Hoodat]

Immediate Response: NRA, SAF Sue Over Virginia ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban

On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed an “assault weapons” ban legislation into law and the NRA and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) immediately filed a lawsuit.

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/05/15/immediate-response-nra-saf-sue-over-virginia-assault-weapons-ban/

And complete silence from the Virginia GOP.  Virginia has no opposition party to the Democrats.