June 26, 2026
Virginia’s “Assault Firearms” Ban Benched Before Opening Day
A Virginia judge has hit the brakes on Senate Bill 749, temporarily blocking the Commonwealth from enforcing its new restrictions on semiautomatic firearms, magazines holding more than 15 rounds, and certain public carry activities.
Just days before the law was scheduled to take effect on July 1, a Lancaster County Circuit Court judge issued a preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz, stopping Virginia State Police from enforcing the challenged provisions.
In other words: Virginia’s new gun-control package is not taking effect as planned.
The lawsuit was filed by Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, the Virginia Citizens Defense Foundation, and several individual plaintiffs. The challengers argue that the law violates both the Second Amendment and Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution.
What Senate Bill 749 Would Have Restricted
The blocked law would have prohibited or restricted the:
- Purchase, sale, manufacture, importation, and transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms;
- Sale and transfer of magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds; and
- Carrying of certain firearms in specified public locations.
The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
Virginia Plans to Fight Back
Attorney General Jay Jones criticized the ruling and announced that the Commonwealth intends to seek an emergency stay and pursue an appeal. State officials maintain that the law is constitutional and necessary to address gun violence.
The plaintiffs, meanwhile, confirmed that the injunction applies not only to the firearm restrictions, but also to the 15-round magazine limitation and challenged public-carry provisions.
The injunction is currently expected to remain in effect through December 31, unless the court modifies the order or a higher court intervenes.
What This Means for Virginia FFLs
This is exactly why reading a headline is not the same thing as having a compliance strategy. Virginia’s new restrictions are blocked today, the Commonwealth is appealing tomorrow, and your business is stuck trying to figure out which rules apply on Monday morning.
FFLGuard clients receive timely legal and compliance guidance when the law changes—because “we thought the ban was blocked” is not a particularly charming explanation during an inspection.
Join FFLGuard now and get the guidance, tools, and compliance backup you need before the chaos hits.
