Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a series of restrictive gun control bills on Tuesday. She toughened a proposed ban on semi-automatic firearms before sending it back to state lawmakers. This move drew immediate backlash from Republicans and a likely constitutional objection from the Justice Department.
The Democratic governor changed the language of the proposed legislation. Her amendments remove the word fixed from the definition of a prohibited firearm. Republicans warn this could sharply expand the range of semi-automatic rifles and pistols swept into the ban.
The Republican leader strongly condemned the recent legislative changes. "If there was any doubt that Gov. Spanberger was coming for our firearms, this substitute removes it," House of Delegates Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said in a statement to News WCYB 5. "Not only does it keep in place the de facto ban on some of the most common firearms in Virginia, it goes further and appears to create a ban on any firearm that can accept a magazine of more than 15 rounds," Kilgore explained.
Kilgore noted how this broad language will impact everyday citizens. "That includes the vast majority of firearms in Virginia that are in common use for legal purposes," he added.
The Department of Justice released a warning letter regarding the measure on Friday. Federal officials stated the legislation raises serious constitutional concerns. The department threatened legal action if the state enforces a ban that infringes on Second Amendment rights.
The Justice Department sent the formal notice directly to the state attorney general. "This letter provides formal notice that the Civil Rights Division will commence litigation in the event the Commonwealth of Virginia enacts certain bills that unconstitutionally limit law-abiding Americans’ individual right to bear arms," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote. "Specifically, SB 749, as written, would require Virginia law enforcement agencies to engage in a practice of unconstitutionally restricting the making, buying, or selling of AR-15s and many other semi-automatic firearms in common use," Dhillon stated.
Dhillon cited a unanimous Supreme Court opinion protecting firearms that are widely legal and bought by ordinary consumers. "The Second Amendment protects the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and use AR-15 style semiautomatic rifles for lawful purposes," Dhillon added.
The Assistant Attorney General promised swift federal intervention if the bills pass. Dhillon said her division "will seek to enjoin any attempt to infringe the right of law-abiding Virginians to acquire constitutional protected arms."
Dhillon also took to social media to publicly warn the governor. "@SpanbergerForVA is on notice: 2A rights SHALL NOT BE infringed," Dhillon wrote on X. "We are closely watching—in the event any unlawful legislation is enacted, we will sue, and @CivilRights will protect the 2A rights of law-abiding citizens in Virginia," she posted.
Spanberger moved forward with the legislation despite the federal warnings. She framed the restrictive law as a necessary public safety push. The governor claimed the state is trying to balance Second Amendment rights with efforts to reduce gun violence.
"I grew up in a family where responsible gun ownership was expected, and I carried a firearm every day as a former federal agent," Spanberger wrote in a statement. "I support the Second Amendment," she claimed. "But gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in America, and that should motivate all of us to ask ourselves what we can do to mitigate this harm," the governor added.
"This is why I’ve made amendments to provide clarity for both responsible gun owners and law enforcement, making clear what these changes mean in practice — as Virginians safely purchase and store their firearms," Spanberger continued. "These commonsense steps will help keep our families, our communities, and our law enforcement officers safe," she stated.
The bill would ban the future sale and manufacture of covered firearms and magazines over 15 rounds. It exempts firearms legally owned before July 2026 but imposes strict limits on how those grandfathered weapons can be transferred. The legislation would also create a Class 1 misdemeanor for any violations.
The legislation now heads back to the General Assembly for further debate. State lawmakers must decide whether to accept the governor's controversial amendments.
Spanberger also signed several other gun control bills without making changes. This includes a new law requiring firearm manufacturers and dealers to adopt reasonable controls aimed at preventing misuse. The law opens the door for civil action against the firearm industry if their actions are alleged to have contributed to public harm.
She also signed legislation that bars leaving a firearm in plain view inside an unattended vehicle. Another bill bans the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession of unserialized homemade firearms. These items are commonly referred to as ghost guns by gun control advocates.
"In all, the General Assembly has forwarded to you over 20 bills that restrict Second Amendment rights," Dhillon concluded in her warning to the state attorney general. "I urge you to reconsider allowing any bill that would infringe on the lawful use of protected firearms by law-abiding citizens to become law," she wrote.
Federal officials are hoping to resolve the issue before going to court. "In an effort to avoid unnecessary litigation, the Second Amendment Section stands ready to meet and confer with attorneys in the Virginia Attorney General's Office," Dhillon added.
She ended her message with a firm defense of constitutional protections. "The Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens shall not be infringed," Dhillon stated.