Virginia Gun Ban Moves Forward — Lawmakers Reject Changes, But the Fight Is Far From Over

Virginia finds itself once again denying constiutional rights to law-abiding citizens.

In a surprising move, the Virginia State Legislature did not make their gun control bills worse. That is not to say it is better, it is still some of the worst restrictions in the country, they just rejected expanding it at this time. We now have one of the most aggressive gun control bills in the country is right back on the governor’s desk.

What Happened

In Virginia, the General Assembly rejected proposed amendments from Governor Abigail Spanberger to the already controversial SB 749 / HB 217 “assault weapons” ban.

Spanberger had attempted to expand the bill even further than its already extreme restrictions. However, lawmakers declined those changes and sent the original version back to her.

Now, it’s her move to either sign it (which is expected), veto it (highly unlikely), or do nothing and let it become law. With her track record, these bills are almost assuredly to become law. The likelihood of a veto is almost nonexistent as Spanberger was bankrolled by some of the largest anti-gun groups in the country.

What the Bill Does

Even without the governor’s expanded changes, this is still one of the most sweeping gun control measures in the country. These bills would ban the future sale of commonly owned firearms like the AR-15. Restrict magazines over 15 rounds. They would also target standard, widely used semi-automatic platforms and it doesn’t stop there.

Other Bills Moving With It

While lawmakers rejected changes to the main ban, they did approve amendments to several other anti-2A measures. We saw changes made to the below bills get approved

HB 1525 — Age-Based Ban

• Prohibits adults under 21 from owning certain semi-auto firearms

• Includes an emergency clause, meaning it could take effect immediately upon signing

SB 727 / HB 1524 — Carry Restrictions

• Makes it a crime to carry firearms with magazines over 15 rounds in public

• Applies to:

  • Streets

  • Sidewalks

  • Parks

  • Any public space

As with all gun control bills, there are no exemptions for concealed carry permit holders. Even though they go through all the hoops and do the very thing that gun control advocates argue for, pass a background check, they are still deemed too dangerous to exercise that right.

This is a serious issue even to us here at 2 If By Sea Tactical in Minnesota. The reason is we are already seeing gun control advocates already try and nationalize these Virginia bills. This goes way beyond just a few state bills.

Virginia is setting up a blueprint for building a layered system of restrictions that blue states everywhere, including here in Minnesota, are rushing to copy. The idea here is make us pro-2A advocates have to fight them on all fronts. Because even if one piece gets challenged, The others are still there. Taken all together these bills create, ownership restrictions, carry restrictions, age restrictions, and magazine limits. This is a broad attack on lawful gun ownership.

We will keep seeing this playbook unfold everywhere because it has become effective. Anti-2A politicians will continue to push major headline-grabbing ban all in the name of “safety”. But they will not just do that, they will layer those bills with additional restrictions alongside it.

Then like in Rhode Island, they will expand definitions and enforcement over time. It will not matter even when one part of their restrictions face resistance, they will keep pushing the rest forward. All these bills stack on top of each other and continue to add up over time.

For us law-abiding gun owners, we understand what this means. We will continue to lose access to commonly owned firearms and magazines. We will be further criminalized overnight just by owning something that is constitutionally protected.

We will face increasing restrictions on our means of defending ourselves or our families, especially in areas where we are most likely to face a threat. There will continue to be a denial of rights to young adults because some people deem them too “unstable”. The great lie is this will increase public safety, when in fact, all it does is give criminals more targets.

What Comes Next

This bill will now head back to Governor Spanberger for final signature. A signature is likely given her public support for gun control. Once that happens, we can expect lawsuits immediately. Support those who support you and groups like Gun Owners of America (GOA) are already preparing legal action.

Virginia finds itself once again a battleground in the Untied States. However, like the Civil War, Virginia once again finds itself on the side of stripping rights from free men and women. While the battleground this time is in the courtroom, the outcome will once again determine if freedom will continue to ring in the commonwealth.

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 and Rumble channels 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. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.

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