Legislation to ban the sale of assault-style weapons is among a raft of gun control bills heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) as the Virginia General Assembly session ends tomorrow (Saturday).
Many of the firearm-related bills advanced by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly aren’t new, but faced vetoes from former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). They’re expected to fare differently under Spanberger, who has indicated support for legislation such as ghost gun bans, more restrictions on gun access for people convicted of domestic violence crimes, and strengthened red flag laws.
“Send them to my desk,” the governor told legislators at a joint General Assembly session in January.
A pair of bills — HB 217 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 749 by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37) — seek to ban “assault firearms.” While the legislation will not criminalize possessing assault-style weapons obtained before the July 1, 2026 effective date, any future import, sale, manufacturing, purchase or transfer of an assault-style gun would lead to a Class 1 misdemeanor.
A person convicted of this offense would face a three-year ban on buying, possessing or transporting a gun.
Under Virginia law, an “assault firearm” refers to a “semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition.” It also applies to guns designed to have a silencer or folding stock.
The legislation provides exceptions for law enforcement and military personnel. The ban would not apply to antique guns, non-functioning guns or those manually operated by bolt, pump, lever or slide action.
Imports, sales, barters or transfers of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices would also lead to a Class 1 misdemeanor under the legislation. Large-capacity ammunition devices are those with a capacity to accept more than 15 rounds of ammunition.
The companion bills will head to Spanberger after passing both chambers.
Helmer, a veteran who is also running in the 7th Congressional District Democratic primary, has pursued the ban in past sessions.
“Weapons similar to those that I used fighting for our country overseas have no place in our schools, in our churches, and on our streets,” Helmer said in a statement. “Virginians have been on the precipice of finally banning these dangerous weapons before — but this time, we have a Governor who has actually served in law enforcement and understands what it means to protect our neighborhoods.”
The National Rifle Association, which lobbies for gun rights, indicated it would fight gun control bills it opposes in court.
“These extreme bills heading to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk represent yet another blatant attempt to implement sweeping bans on commonly owned firearms and essential firearm parts,” said John Commerford, the executive director of the NRA’s lobbying arm, in a statement. “Law-abiding Virginians deserve better than this continued assault on their constitutional rights — and if Governor Spanberger signs these bills into law, we will see her in court.”
On the other side, gun control advocates who have advocated for the measures for years are optimistic that they will become law this year.
“It is a powerful, full-circle moment to have a former Moms Demand Action volunteer in Governor Spanberger now holding the pen,” Susan Koch, the Moms Demand Action lead in Arlington, told ARLnow. “We know our Governor respects the weight of this responsibility and is ready to sign this historic slate of more than 20 gun safety bills into law.”
Other key bills being advanced include a ban on carrying assault-style guns in public locations, stronger restrictions on “ghost guns” that are undetectable during security screenings, expanded limits on gun transfers from people convicted of domestic violence crimes, stricter requirements for people convicted of domestic violence crimes, and safe gun storage requirements in locations with minors and people prohibited from having a gun.
As of yesterday (Thursday), legislation seeking to ban people from ages 18 to 20 from possessing, transporting and buying guns was being worked out in a conference committee before it can advance.
The deadline for Spanberger to act on bills is April 13.
