SAF sues Virginia over new assault weapons ban

By AI, Created 4:32 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The Second Amendment Foundation and its partners filed suit in federal court challenging Virginia’s new ban on assault firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds. The case targets a law signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger that takes effect July 1 and could reshape gun rights for new adult buyers in the state.

Why it matters: - The lawsuit puts Virginia’s new gun law on a fast track to court before the restrictions take effect July 1. - The challenge targets bans that SAF says cover some of the most commonly owned firearms and magazines in the country. - The case could test whether Virginia can bar sales and transfers of firearms defined by state lawmakers as “assault firearms.”

What happened: - The Second Amendment Foundation and its partners filed McDonald v. Katz, No. 1:26-cv-01305, challenging Virginia’s new bans on “assault firearms” and large-capacity magazines. - Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the legislation into law. - The law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to import, sell, manufacture, purchase or transfer an assault firearm. - The ban covers semiautomatic rifles chambered in any caliber besides .22 rimfire and rifles with features including a collapsing stock, pistol grip or threaded barrel. - The law also bans magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds. - The restrictions take effect July 1.

The details: - SAF is joined in the lawsuit by the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens. - The complaint argues the firearms Virginia labels as assault firearms are ordinary semiautomatic firearms. - The complaint says the features singled out by Virginia can make firearms safer and easier to use. - SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb said the group views the law as a ban on constitutionally protected firearms. - Gottlieb also said the new rules will affect people turning 18 in Virginia on July 1, who will not have the same rights as prior generations.

Between the lines: - The lawsuit is aimed at the definition of “assault firearm” itself, not just how the law will be enforced. - SAF is framing the case as part of a broader court fight over what kinds of semiautomatic firearms states can restrict after recent Second Amendment rulings. - The filing signals an effort to move the case quickly, with Gottlieb saying SAF wants to fast track it to the Supreme Court.

What’s next: - The parties will now fight the law in federal court as the July 1 effective date approaches. - The case could add Virginia to the growing list of states facing constitutional challenges to similar gun restrictions. - Any early rulings may shape whether the sales and transfer ban goes into effect as scheduled.