Virginia Governor Advances Assault Weapons Ban

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger advanced a package of gun control measures on April 14, 2026, amending legislation to ban certain semiautomatic firearms and high-capacity magazines just before a midnight deadline, despite warnings from the U.S. Department of Justice that the changes could violate Second Amendment rights.

The amendments to House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, which now return to the General Assembly for approval, remove the term "fixed" from the definition of assault firearms. This adjustment, according to Spanberger's office, aims to provide clearer guidance for law enforcement on covered weapons while exempting certain semiautomatic shotguns used for hunting. The bill prohibits the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of semiautomatic centerfire rifles and pistols capable of accepting magazines holding more than 15 rounds, effective July 1, 2026. Firearms and magazines legally acquired before that date are grandfathered, though transfers of such items face restrictions, including limits on bringing them into the state from other jurisdictions. Violations would constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Spanberger also signed several other gun-related bills...