Key facts
- Virginia governor signed a bill banning assault weapons sales starting July 1.
- The ban restricts semi-automatic rifles and pistols with magazine capacity over 15 rounds.
- Firearm background checks in Virginia have surged significantly since January.
- May saw 75,376 background checks, more than double May 2025's 37,167.
- Gun retailers report selling out of inventory and components for AR-15-style rifles.
- The law makes buying, selling, or transferring an "assault firearm" a misdemeanor.
Gun sales in Virginia have surged in the months leading up to a July 1 ban on assault weapons, as indicated by FBI background check data. Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the Democrat-sponsored legislation, which prohibits the sale of semi-automatic rifles or pistols with magazine capacities exceeding 15 rounds. Since January, background checks have risen dramatically, with May recording 75,376 checks, more than double the 37,167 in May 2025. March saw 79,846 checks compared to 47,069 the previous year, and April had 72,011 versus 40,343 in 2025. The year-to-date total of 347,167 checks is on pace to surpass last year's 521,283. Retailers like Ginger Mafia Tactical and Tactical Operations Vault are experiencing rapid sell-outs of firearms and components, with owners expressing concern about the law's impact. The new law classifies the purchase, sale, or transfer of "assault firearms" as a misdemeanor. Governor Spanberger stated that firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on streets and that the law aims to protect families and law enforcement.