New Virginia law banning "assault firearms" prompts quick lawsuits from gun-rights groups
Gun-rights groups filed lawsuits within hours, and the U.S. Department of Justice said it will also seek to block enforcement.
- On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation banning the sale and manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms, with the measure taking effect July 1.
- Spanberger, a former CIA officer and past Moms Demand Action volunteer, reversed the approach of former Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who vetoed similar bills for two consecutive years.
- Defining "assault firearms" as semi-automatic rifles or pistols with magazines holding more than 15 rounds, the law makes buying, selling, or manufacturing these weapons a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- Gun-Rights groups, including the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation, filed lawsuits Thursday asserting violations of the right to bear arms, joined by a Department of Justice challenge.
- Similar bans exist in 11 other states, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld comparable measures, though gun-rights advocates remain hopeful the Supreme Court will eventually hear a challenge.
80 Articles
80 Articles
Virginia "Assault Weapons" Ban: Governor Signs SB 749, Triggers Immediate Twin Lawsuits
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed Senate Bill 749 into law, establishing a comprehensive statewide ban on "assault weapons" and "high-capacity" magazines effective July 1, 2026. The legislation was immediately met with a sophisticated, dual-track legal assault: a state-level lawsuit filed by GOA and VCDL utilizing a unique "state-only" constitutional theory, and a lean federal lawsuit filed by the NRA and FPC explicitly engineered …
Lawsuits filed after Fairfax legislators’ assault weapon ban signed by Spanberger
Previous Image 1/3 Next Image As soon as Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed one of the more polarizing gun safety bills from the 2026 General Assembly session — a ban on assault-style firearms — the Fairfax-based National Rifle Association vowed to fight the ban with a lawsuit. The pair of bills from state Sen.
Smyth Commonwealth's Attorney says assault-style firearms ban is unenforceable
Late Thursday, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed into law a package of legislation that included a ban on the future sale and manufacture of assault-style firearms in the Commonwealth. Sunday morning, Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip “Bucky” Blevins sent a letter…
An Official Journal Of The NRA | NRA Files Lawsuits Challenging Virginia's Assault Weapons and Magazine Bans
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has announced the filing of lawsuits in both Virginia state court and federal court challenging the so-called "assault weapons" ban and magazine ban signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
Smyth Co. Commonwealth's Attorney says 'assault weapons ban' is "unconstitutional"
SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — Smyth County Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip Blevins Jr. said on Sunday that "his office would not support criminal charges resulting solely from technical violations" of the "assault weapons ban" bill, which will take effect on July 1. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) signed the bill into law on Friday, making it [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
