Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Signed: What HB 217 Bans, Who Sued, and What Happens Next

# Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Signed: What HB 217 Bans, Who Sued, and What Happens Next

> **Quick answer:** Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB 217 and SB 749 on May 15, 2026, banning the sale, manufacture, and transfer of semi-automatic assault firearms and magazines over 15 rounds, effective July 1, 2026. Guns owned before that date are grandfathered for possession only — you cannot sell or gift them to another Virginia resident. The NRA and the U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits within hours of the signing, but federal courts are likely to uphold the law under existing 4th Circuit precedent, at least in the near term.

The Virginia assault weapons ban is now law. On May 15, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB 217 and SB 749, making Virginia the most significant state to restrict semi-automatic firearms in recent history — and triggering one of the fastest legal counterattacks in modern gun law. Here is exactly what the law bans, who can still legally own what, what legal fights are coming, and what this means nationally.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters specific to your situation.*

## What Virginia's Assault Weapons Ban Actually Bans

The law targets "assault firearms" — a term defined by specific technical features, not a list of named models. Understanding the definition matters because it determines whether your specific firearm is covered.