The National Rifle Association (NRA) today announced the filing of lawsuits in both Virginia state court and federal court challenging the so-called "assault weapons" ban and magazine ban signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
"As promised, we are taking Abigail Spanberger to court," said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director. "Throughout the legislative session, the NRA and our members fought Richmond's radical gun control package tooth and nail. We made it clear that this extreme anti-gun proposal, which bans the new purchase of commonly owned firearms and standard capacity magazines in the Commonwealth, is a blatant violation of Second Amendment rights and an affront to landmark Supreme Court cases. Instead of listening to these factual concerns from their constituents, progressive politicians sided with Michael Bloomberg and his gun-grabbing groups. The NRA will not sit idly by while progressive politicians strip the rights of law-abiding citizens, and our world-class legal team is locked, loaded, and ready to shoot down this outrageous gun-control law."
Background
The legislation (SB749/HB217) bans certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns commonly used by law-abiding citizens for self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes. It also prohibits the sale of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. This bill represents an attempt to redefine and ban firearms that are in common use by law-abiding citizens and to prohibit the future sale and transfer of virtually all modern firearms.