The Department of Justice is warning Virginia officials of potential legal action after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed sweeping gun-control legislation, including a ban on certain semiautomatic firearms.
The measure, SB 749/HB 217, passed the Democrat-controlled General Assembly and targets what the law defines as “assault firearms,” including many semiautomatic rifles and pistols with magazines holding more than 15 rounds.
In a letter posted Friday on X, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the law raises constitutional concerns and could trigger a federal lawsuit.