Governor Spanberger Signs VA Assault Weapons Ban Patroned By 2 Fairfax Lawmakers

RICHMOND, VA — Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation Thursday prohibiting the future sale, manufacture, and transfer of assault firearms and high-capacity magazines in Virginia.

The law, which takes effect July 1, 2026, bans the sale of magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The ban also covers the importation, purchase, and barter of such firearms and magazines.

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Spanberger, a former federal law enforcement officer, stated the firearms "designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets." While the General Assembly did not adopt an amendment to carve out certain hunting firearms, Spanberger said she would work with bill patrons to clarify that language.

The legislation was introduced as SB749 by State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-Fairfax) and as HB217 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-Fairfax). Both represent portions of Fairfax County.

"This law saves lives, and together, we prove that people-powered progress prevails," Salim said in a statement.

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Helmer, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, noted that similar weapons he carried in combat "have no place in our schools, in our churches, and on our streets." Previous versions of the ban passed the General Assembly but were vetoed by former Governor Glenn Youngkin (R).

Virginia joins 10 other states, including Maryland and Delaware, that prohibit assault weapons. Proponents of the bill cited research from Everytown for Gun Safety, which found that assault weapons were used in nine of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

The National Rifle Association, the Firearms Policy Coalition, and the Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit, McDonald v. Katz, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to challenge the law.

The lawsuit argues the ban is unconstitutional because it prohibits arms "in common use," such as the AR-15.

"This extreme anti-gun proposal, which bans the new purchase of commonly owned firearms and standard capacity magazines in the Commonwealth, is a blatant violation of Second Amendment rights," said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director.

Details Of The Federal Lawsuit

The National Rifle Association, alongside the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Second Amendment Foundation, and two private citizens, filed the federal lawsuit McDonald v. Katz on May 14, 2026. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the complaint seeks to have the new restrictions declared unconstitutional and their enforcement permanently enjoined.

Key Arguments from the Complaint:

• Second Amendment Protections: The plaintiffs argue that "assault firearms" and magazines holding over 15 rounds are "bearable arms in common use" and therefore cannot be banned under Supreme Court precedents like Heller and Bruen.
• Common Use: The filing asserts that AR-15-style rifles are owned by millions of Americans for lawful purposes, including self-defense and target shooting.
• Magazine Standards: Plaintiffs contend that magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds are "standard capacity" and that such technology has existed and been popular since the 19th century.
• Impact on Citizens: The lead plaintiffs, Justin McDonald of Goochland County and Anthony Groeneveld of Prince William County, state they intend to purchase additional firearms and magazines after July 1 but will refrain from doing so only due to fear of criminal prosecution.

Listed Defendants:

• Col. Jeffrey Katz, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.
• John L. Lumpkins Jr. and Amy Ashworth, Commonwealth’s Attorneys for Goochland and Prince William counties.
• Steven Creasey and Glendell Hill, Sheriffs of Goochland and Prince William counties.