VA Confiscation Bill on Governor's Desk as Action Deadline Approaches; Virginians Rush to Buy Rifles

With 10 days to go for Governor Abigail Spanberger to sign the “assault firearms” sale ban (HB217/SB749) and carry ban packages (HB1524/SB727) into law, the clock is ticking down until the day it will be made illegal to carry an AR or any magazine that can hold more than 10-rounds.

Virginians have responded by buying more assault rifles before the bill goes into effect, but the question of what will happen next without any sort of grandfather clause in place for gun owners is up in the air, and that not the place it needs to be when the legal status of hundreds of thousands of American citizens is concerned.

Why is the exclusion of a Grandfather Clause so Important?

With no grandfather clause for current owners, this bill will make 99% of pistol owners into criminals overnight. An interesting caveat is the law specifically mentions modification of magazines of 11 rounds or more so that they hold only 10, but doesn’t offer any legally acceptable pathways to do so.

This exclusion almost certainly ensures they are leaving the door wide open to prosecute those with more than 10 rounds while also casting a wide net to catch modifiers who are trying to get within compliance but didn’t bother to read the minds of the legislative body to figure out how to do that the right way.

Laws change all the time. They were made to be fluid in that way, but if we go around changing them in such a way as to eagerly rub our hands together at the thought of doing so to make criminals of Americans, then the whole system starts to collapse. That’s without even challenging the restrictive and unconstitutional nature of the laws themselves.

Such a firestorm of legal commotion is the dream of many dubious lawmakers who envision doors being kicked in for the purpose of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters being hauled away for not anticipating, or blindly complying, with the ill-natured conditions of a court that is content to treat convention and precedent as mere suggestion.

To say these laws need to go back to the drawing board is the very bedrock of what actually needs to happen with arbitrary laws that are intended to skirt past established 2A securities. At the very least, these bills could do Americans the courtesy of not issuing blanket orders against their character and felony status.

Virginia Rifle Sales Jump To Second in the Country

As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats, and according to the numbers, Virginia gun owners are ready to sink or swim together. While uncertainty grows, Virginians are responding with their wallets. According to a report from The Reload, newly released industry data shows Virginia ranking 4th nationwide in firearm-related background checks during April 2026 and 2nd in long gun sales, despite being only the 12th most populous state in the country.

According to data analyzed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Virginia experienced a nearly 79% increase in sales-related background checks compared to April of last year. The organization said similar spikes were also seen in states considering new firearm restrictions, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.

This rush to buy some Constitutionally protected Freedom is evidence that many Americans remain deeply concerned about preserving access to commonly owned firearms,as they should be.

Right To Bear is Here for the Average American Gunowner

Governor Spanberger has until May 23 to sign the bills, veto them, or allow them to become law without her signature. Until then, gun owners, firearm retailers, and advocacy groups across Virginia continue watching closely as the debate over the future of firearm regulations in the Commonwealth intensifies.

Right To Bear was created to support Americans in moments like this. Not only to help responsibly armed Americans after a self-defense incident, but to stand alongside the broader Second Amendment community as battles over firearm rights continue in legislatures, courtrooms, and state governments across the country.

What is happening in Virginia is a reminder that the fight over gun rights is not limited to one election cycle or one state. Legislative sessions come and go, administrations change, and new restrictions continue to emerge. Protecting the right to keep and bear arms requires long term commitment from organizations and individuals willing to stay engaged when it matters most.

For gun owners concerned about proposed bans, magazine restrictions, and expanding carry limitations, staying informed and connected to organizations that actively support the Second Amendment has never been more important.

Sign Up for Your Right To Bear Membership Today

If you believe defending constitutional rights requires more than simply watching headlines unfold, now is the time to get involved. Learn more about the benefits of a Right To Bear membership and how joining helps support both legal protection after a self-defense incident and the broader fight to preserve Second Amendment rights nationwide.