Life for gun owners in Virginia may get a little more complicated after the state legislature passed a series of anti-gun bills on common firearms.
Five bills in total — SB 749, SB 727, SB 27, HB 21, and HB 40 — arrived on Virginia Gov. Spanberger’s desk this week for signature.
While each has its own target, SB 749 is the most alarming for gun enthusiasts as it prohibits so-called “assault firearms” and “large capacity” magazines.
Keep reading as we dive into each bill and what it means for gun owners.
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SB 749
If passed, SB 749 would outlaw the import, sale, manufacture, purchase, and transfer of assault firearms while also banning magazines holding more than 15 rounds.
The definition of an assault firearm under the bill takes aim at popular semi-auto shotguns and rifles.
Semi-auto centerfire rifles that accept a detachable magazine and also have a folding or collapsible stock, thumbhole or pistol grip, threaded barrel, or grenade launcher would fall under the definition.
Meanwhile, semi-auto shotguns with a folding, thumbhole, or pistol grip stock, as well as those that accept detachable magazines, are also included in the definition of an assault weapon.
The bill does carve out exceptions for current owners of guns and magazines that violate SB 749 so long as they are owned prior to July 1, 2026.
Co-author of the bill, Del. Dan Helmer (D-10th District), told local news that these laws would help Virginians stay safe.
“We’re going to be the first Southern state with an assault weapons ban,” Helmer said. “This is a critical opportunity to keep our communities safe from those firearms that are used in the most deadly mass shootings and from the extended high-capacity magazines that often make those shootings deadlier.”
But gun proponents argue that the bill targets lawful gun owners and will do nothing to curb gun violence.
“Instead of upholding the rights of Virginians, tyrants in Richmond have voted to gut the Constitution and turn peaceable gun owners into felons,” Firearms Policy Coalition President Brandon Combs said in a statement.
FPC, along with other pro-gun organizations, has promised to fight the legislation in court.
“FPC has been preparing a federal lawsuit to challenge this immoral ban on constitutionally protected firearms and magazines,” Combs said. “We will not hesitate to sue to defend Virginians against their authoritarian government if Governor Abigail Spanberger signs this anti-gun bill into law.”
Spanberger is expected to sign the bill into law.
SB 727
Continuing down the list of gun legislation passed by the state, SB 727 prohibits carrying guns on public property.
The bill would outlaw the carry of all semi-auto centerfire pistols, rifles, and shotguns, as well as any gun made to operate as an “assault firearm” on public streets, roads, alleys, sidewalks, and parks. The bill goes so far as to also ban guns in any other place that is open to the public, effectively outlawing concealed carry.
HB 40
HB 40 targets 80% kits and unfinished frames and receivers, preventing the manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, or possession of “plastic firearms” and unserialized frames, receivers, and firearms.
Violators are subject to a Class 5 felony.
SB 27 & HB 21
SB 27 & HB 21 are another pair that work together to define “responsible conduct” for the gun industry operating in Virginia.
The legislation mandates that firearm industry members enact “reasonable” controls when it comes to manufacturing, selling, or marketing firearm-related products. In essence, the state wants gun makers and dealers to institute safeguards against straw purchases and firearms trafficking, suicides and homicides by guns, the marketing of guns, and auto-sear installment.
Under these bills, firearm manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in the state could be sued if they are found to violate the conduct standards.
Additional Resources
What do you think of the legislation in Virginia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. To stay up to date, head over to the News section to get your fill of what’s going on in the gun world.
2 Leave a Reply
Seems like an open invitation to criminals to me. So sad to see my state go so wrong.
As if commiefornia wasnt enought...