Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Hit with Lawsuit Before Spanberger's Signature Dries
The law bars new sales and transfers of assault firearms and high-capacity magazines, and the National Rifle Association said it will sue.
- On Thursday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 749 and House Bill 217 into law, banning the sale of assault firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, effective July 1, 2026.
- Spanberger had proposed amendments to carve out certain firearms frequently used for hunting, but the General Assembly rejected those changes during April's reconvened session before she signed the bill.
- Violations carry Class 1 misdemeanor charges with three-year firearm prohibitions for convicted individuals. The law defines assault firearms by features including pistol grips, folding stocks and threaded barrels, while exempting antique firearms and weapons rendered permanently inoperable.
- Within hours Thursday, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. NRA Institute Executive Director John Commerford stated the organization is "locked, loaded, and ready to shoot down this outrageous gun-control law."
- The legal challenge centers on whether the 2022 Bruen Supreme Court decision provides grounds to overturn Fourth Circuit precedent upholding Maryland's similar ban, with plaintiffs arguing commonly owned AR-15-style rifles deserve constitutional protection. Virginia House GOP Leader Terry Kilgore criticized the law Friday as unconstitutional.
36 Articles
36 Articles
NRA sues Virginia over new ‘assault weapons’ ban
The National Rifle Association announced a pair of lawsuits on Friday against Virginia’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” immediately after Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) signed it into law, as the Supreme Court could weigh in on the legality of similar laws in other states in the near future. The NRA announced two lawsuits, one in a state court and another in a federal court, to take aim at a pair of gun laws signed by Spanberger. The laws ba…
NRA: Governor ‘Abigail Spanberger Isn’t Going to Ban America’s Rifles Under Our Watch’
NRA: Governor ‘Abigail Spanberger Isn’t Going to Ban America’s Rifles Under Our Watch’ “Abigail Spanberger isn’t going to ban America’s rifles under our watch,” NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Executive Director John Commerford promised after the Democrat Virginia governor signed a bill banning so-called “assault” weapons and high capacity magazines. “We’re not going to stand idly by and let this new governor ban America’s rifles…
Spanberger signs bill to prohibit assault weapons, NRA and Virginia organizations sue
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill to effectively ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of assault weapons in the commonwealth late Thursday with little fanfare and lawsuits brought by the National Rifle Association and others immediately followed. The governor said in a statement that she signed the legislation, after it was sent back to her by the General Assembly without her amendment, because firearms “designed to inflict maximum casual…
Spanberger Signs SB 749; SAF, NRA, FPC Immediately File Federal Lawsuit
Immediately after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a restrictive new law banning so-called “assault weapons” and “certain magazines” in Virginia beginning July 1, three major gun rights groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legislation. Img Duncan Johnson Reacting with lightning speed Thursday, the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit challenging Virginia’s new restrictive gun control law, Sen…
![[your]NEWS](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroundnews.b-cdn.net%2Finterests%2Ffb6dc495f74049f513563c33352175eaa0ecd509.jpg%3Fwidth%3D24&w=64&q=75){kind=small}
NRA Sues Virginia After Spanberger Signs Assault Weapons Ban Into Law
Gun rights organizations and the Trump administration are preparing legal challenges after Virginia enacted sweeping restrictions on certain firearms and magazines. The post NRA Sues Virginia After Spanberger Signs Assault Weapons Ban Into Law first appeared on [your]NEWS.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
