Virginia Assault Weapons Sales Ban Blocked by Judges Ahead of July 1 Start Date
At least two judges halted enforcement days before the law took effect, while gun sellers reported booming business and buyers rushed to complete purchases.
- A Washington County Circuit Court judge on Monday granted a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of Virginia's new assault firearms and magazine ban, marking the second injunction issued in five days before its Wednesday effective date.
- Citing a 1971 provision of the Virginia Constitution, Judge Jeffrey Campbell asserted that banning the sale, purchase, and manufacturing of assault weapons violates the right to keep and bear arms.
- Gun sales surged 60% over last year as customers rushed to purchase weapons on credit before the ban deadline, according to Steve Dowdy, who owns Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk.
- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones expressed disappointment with the rulings and vowed to appeal the injunctions to defend the legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
- The injunctions remain in effect until July 1, 2027, or until further court orders, while the Virginia Supreme Court determines whether to consolidate multiple constitutional lawsuits challenging the firearm restrictions.
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Hampton Roads gun shops busy with sales before Virginia’s assault weapons ban
Shoppers have been inundating Hampton Roads gun shops to buy firearms that a new law bans on July 1, though Virginia judges are issuing injunctions to prevent enforcement by some authorities.
Va. governor's assault weapons ban blocked by Washington Co. judge
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — A Washington County, Virginia Circuit Court judge has issued an injunction against Virginia's new "assault weapons ban," which was set to take effect Wednesday. Judge Jeffrey Campbell based that decision on Virginia's Constitution, not on the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He wrote in an opinion letter provided to News [...]
Virginia sees gun sale boom as 'assault firearms' ban put on hold
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