Virginia Gun Rights Advocates Brace for 2 Dozen Gun Control Laws to Take Effect July

Virginia is on the verge of joining the list of states that ban so-called assault weapons.

The proposed ban is among more than two dozen gun control or gun safety bills the Virginia General Assembly sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger after its regular session ended on March 24.

The slate of proposed gun laws includes a ban on unserialized guns and components, often called ghost guns; tighter regulations on firearms businesses; and stricter firearms storage requirements, among others.

Gun control advocates hailed the development as a win for public safety in online statements. But gun rights activists vow to fight the laws in court as infringements on the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“This slate of gun violence prevention bills will be an enormous step forward to hold the gun industry accountable, ban untraceable ghost guns disproportionately used in crime, and normalize responsible firearm ownership in Virginia,” Kris Brown, president of Brady United, stated on the Brady website.

Ruby Gerstein, leader of the Alexandria City High School Students Demand Action, said the bills expected to be signed into law reflect a significant change in Virginia politics.

“For the first time in my life, I am seeing a Virginia where our laws have the potential to finally reflect our values,” Gerstein posted to the Moms Demand Action website.

Democrats have sent similar gun control packages to the governor for the past two years. But Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed those bills.

In November 2025, Democrats took control of both houses in addition to sending Spanberger to the governor’s office. Many of the freshman legislators were active in the gun control movement, including the new governor.

“It was expected that this was going to happen when the Democrats got that trifecta,” said David Adams, legislative director for the Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA). “I fully expect Gov. Spanberger to sign all of these bills.”

In an email to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson said Spanberger is considering her options.

“As the mother of three daughters … and a former federal law enforcement officer, Gov. Spanberger, knows how important it is to make sure kids and families are safe. [She] is grateful for the efforts of legislators and advocates to address gun violence, and is carefully reviewing all legislation on her desk,” the email reads.

One of the most anticipated laws is SB 749, the “assault weapon” ban.

The bill defines an assault weapon as any semiautomatic rifle, shotgun, or pistol with any of the following features: a collapsible, telescoping, or thumbhole stock; a bayonet lug or grenade launcher; a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds; a second handgrip; or a threaded barrel to install a flash suppressor, muzzle brake, or compensator, among other things.

Such firearms lawfully purchased before July 1, 2026, are grandfathered. However, the owners can only transfer them to licensed gun dealers outside the state, or to family members through private sale, through gifting, or as part of an inheritance.

Antique guns, guns that are permanently inoperable, and those operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action are legal.

A conviction under this law would be a Class 1 misdemeanor. Those convicted would be barred from buying, possessing, or transporting a firearm for three years.

The new gun laws would become effective on July 1.

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and the state of Washington have similar bans.

Adams and other Second Amendment advocates say the laws won’t enhance public safety but will infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. He said that his organization—the state arm of the National Rifle Association—is planning to act.

“VSSA is committed to joining other gun rights organizations to take legal action and we will see the Commonwealth in court,” Adams wrote in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Erich Pratt, senior vice president for Gun Owners of America, said the laws violate the Second Amendment.

“Gun owners are not going to sit back while politicians try to criminalize protected conduct. We’ll see them in court,” Pratt stated in a message to The Epoch Times.

In addition to the weapons ban, the General Assembly passed a variety of other gun control measures.

SB323 prohibits the manufacture of guns without serial numbers, along with the transfer and possession of unserialized or plastic firearms.

SB496 requires a gun stored in a vehicle to be locked in a container that is physically attached to the vehicle.

SB27 requires “responsible conduct” for the manufacture, sale, distribution, use, and marketing of firearm-related products. It also provides a civil cause of action for the attorney general, local government attorneys, or private individuals to sue firearm businesses.

Spanberger has until April 13 to sign, veto, or request amendments to the bills. If she takes no action, they will become law that day. The General Assembly will reconvene to consider Spanberger’s actions on April 22.