Virginia’s Assault Weapons Bills Head Back to Governor’s Desk Without Modification

Summary

Virginia's General Assembly returned 'assault weapons' bills SB 749 and HB 217 to Governor Abigail Spanberger, rejecting her amendments that would have broadened the ban on semi-automatic firearms and 15+ round magazines. The bills, which ban future transfer/sale/manufacture of these items with an effective date of July 1, 2026, are now expected to become law. Gun rights organizations like GOA, VCDL, and FPC have vowed immediate legal challenges in federal and state courts.