Overview
- Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the ban Thursday, prompting the NRA and allied groups to file state and federal lawsuits within hours.
- The law outlaws the import, sale, manufacture, purchase, and transfer of defined assault firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds, while letting current owners keep them.
- Violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor that can bring up to a year in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and a three-year bar on buying, possessing, or transporting any firearm after conviction.
- The measures include exceptions for antiques and guns made permanently inoperable, and a separate law signed Tuesday limits campus carry to police, ROTC cadets, and U.S. military personnel.
- Conservative outlets reported that a Justice Department official signaled a federal challenge, while Virginia outlets centered on the statute’s scope, penalties, and July 1, 2026 effective date.