Governor Spanberger signs Virginia's assault weapons ban, making it the first Southern state to prohibit assault firearm sales

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bill 749 and House Bill 217 into law on May 14, 2026, making Virginia the first Southern state to enact an assault firearms ban. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Saddam Salim (D-Fairfax), passed the Senate 21-19 on February 9 and the House 59-35 on March 4, 2026. The law prohibits the future purchase, sale, manufacture, importation, or transfer of defined assault firearms and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds, effective July 1, 2026. Firearms and magazines lawfully owned before that date remain legal to possess. Spanberger excluded certain hunting semi-automatic rifles via amendment before signing. The Trump administration had threatened to sue Virginia if the bill became law.