Virginia Democrats Unleash Sweeping Gun Control Push Ahead of 2026 Session
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Buoyed by the election of a new Democrat governor backed heavily by national anti-gun organizations, lawmakers in Virginia are wasting no time launching one of the most aggressive attacks on Second Amendment rights the Commonwealth has seen in decades.
Although the 2026 legislative session doesn’t formally begin until next week, Democrats who now control the General Assembly have already pre-filed nearly a dozen gun control bills, signaling that firearm restrictions will be a top priority in Richmond. Among the most sweeping proposals is House Bill 271, which would ban the manufacture, sale, and importation of so-called “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Violations would carry penalties of up to 12 months in jail and $2,500 in fines.
Another bill, House Bill 207, targets suppressors imposing a new $500 state tax on retail sales just weeks after the federal government finally zeroed out the long-standing $200 NFA tax. The move appears designed to punish lawful gun owners for embracing hearing-safe firearms technology. According to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, several additional bills aim directly at the firearms industry itself:
Senate Bill 27 / House Bill 21 would impose vague “responsible conduct” standards on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, requiring undefined “reasonable controls” over how firearms and accessories are made, sold, and marketed. These bills also create expansive civil liability, allowing lawsuits by the Attorney General, local governments, or private citizens—an explicit attempt to regulate the industry out of existence through lawfare, despite longstanding federal protections.
Targeting Law-Abiding Gun Owners
Other proposals take aim at individual gun owners:
Senate Bill 38 / House Bill 93 would strip gun rights from individuals based solely on the prohibited status of someone else living in their household.
House Bill 19 expands prohibited categories for certain misdemeanor offenses.
House Bill 24 threatens concealed carry reciprocity agreements, potentially preventing Virginia permit holders from legally carrying while traveling out of state.
House Bill 40 would effectively end the long-recognized practice of building firearms for personal use by banning unserialized firearms—criminalizing possession and transfer, even for those who lawfully purchased unfinished frames or receivers before the bill takes effect.
House Bill 110 places additional restrictions on keeping a firearm in a vehicle for lawful self-defense.
Virginia’s sudden appetite for gun control is no coincidence. National gun-control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety poured massive resources into the 2025 elections, including a reported $1 million paid media campaign supporting now-Governor Abigail Spanberger. Everytown claims to have contacted more than 250,000 voters in battleground counties alone.
Spanberger, a former volunteer with Bloomberg-backed Moms Demand Action, openly pledged during her campaign to push for a statewide ban on “assault-style weapons” and standard-capacity magazines. That influence now extends deep into the legislature itself. Everytown also backed 13 Moms Demand Action volunteers who won seats in the General Assembly, spending an additional $400,000 in key races. Today, roughly one in five Democrat seats in the House is held by a Moms Demand Action volunteer.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League has scheduled its annual Lobby Day for January 19, 2026, giving Virginians the opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers. Meanwhile, Gun Owners of America has launched an online action campaign to help residents quickly contact their delegates and senators. But defending the Second Amendment doesn’t stop at emails and lobby days. Every lawful purchase, every training session, and every piece of gear bought from a pro-freedom business sends a message that gun owners are not backing down.
At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe the Second Amendment is exercised not just at the ballot box—but every time a law-abiding American chooses to own, train with, and responsibly use firearms and gear. As politicians in Virginia and beyond attempt to legislate away fundamental freedoms, one of the most powerful responses is simple: continue exercising your rights. Shop with businesses that stand unapologetically for the Constitution. Train, prepare, and stay informed. Because rights not exercised are rights easily lost—and we’re here to make sure that never happens.
Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube Channel @2ifbyseatactical and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance.
Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.
