Second Amendment Roundup: Virginia Bans "Assault Firearms"
Virginia has enacted a law banning the transfer or purchase of 'assault firearms' and high-capacity magazines, effective July 1. This law categorizes such actions as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. The legislation has sparked discussions about its compatibility with both the federal and state constitutions regarding the right to bear arms.
- ▪The Virginia General Assembly passed HB 217/SB 749, banning 'assault firearms' and magazines over 15 rounds.
- ▪Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the bill into law on May 14, acknowledging potential legal challenges.
- ▪The law classifies violations as a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
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| Publication time | Mon, 25 May 2026 01:30:18 +0000 |
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Second Amendment Roundup: Virginia Bans "Assault Firearms" The General Assembly tests the courts to see what it can get away with. Stephen Halbrook | 5.24.2026 9:30 PM Just last year, Justice Elana Kagan wrote for a unanimous Supreme Court in Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos that "the AR–15 is the most popular rifle in the country," adding that such rifles are "both widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers." And while at the same time the Court denied cert in Snope v.
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