DOJ Files Lawsuits Against Virginia and California Gun Bans

The U.S. Department of Justice filed federal lawsuits against Virginia and California on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, challenging recently enacted state gun laws as unconstitutional violations of the Second Amendment. The legal actions mark a significant federal intervention into state-level firearm regulations.

In Virginia, the Justice Department sued the commonwealth and the Virginia State Police over a law signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger in May that bans the sale and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms, including AR-15 style rifles, and standard-capacity magazines holding more than 15 rounds. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, argues the statute infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens by prohibiting firearms commonly owned by millions of Americans for lawful purposes like self-defense. The complaint contends the term "assault firearm" is a political, non-technical label.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the Constitution and the Second Amendment must be upheld nationwide. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, leading the litigation from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said she...