Virginia Judge Pauses Enforcement of Assault-Weapon and Magazine Limits

Overview

• A federal-state injunction issued by Judge Jeffrey Campbell on Monday blocks enforcement of the law’s assault-weapon ban and 15-plus round magazine limit while litigation continues.
• Campbell’s order says the injunction will remain in effect until further court action or no later than July 1, 2027, citing alignment with a recent budget amendment.
• The General Assembly voted to push the law’s public-carry prohibition back to July 1, 2027, narrowing which parts of SB 749 could take effect this year.
• Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Commonwealth will appeal the injunction and pledged to continue defending the magazine and weapon restrictions in court.
• The rulings add to earlier local injunctions and have produced uneven enforcement, a rush by some buyers before the law’s original start date, and higher background-check volume that is straining the Virginia State Police.