Hmm: Virginia ‘Assault Firearm’ Sponsors Say Governor Wants Amendments to New Law

Virginia’s ban on “assault firearms” and “large capacity” magazines is set to take effect next Wednesday, barring any last minute injunctions. But the law is also expected to undergo some changes in the final hours before it begins to be enforced, though we don’t yet know what those changes entail. 

Brandon Jarvis, who runs the Virginia Scope newsletter, posted on X on Tuesday afternoon that he’d heard from both Sen. Saddam Salim and Del. Dan Helmer, the lead sponsors of the gun and magazine ban bill, that the governor’s staff notified them amendments are coming. Spanberger previously rejected the ban when it was sent to her desk and instead offered an amendment that would have removed some shotguns from the list of banned items, while also prohibiting the carry of any firearm with a magazine that can hold more than 15 rounds, but the General Assembly rejected those changes and Spanberger ultimately capitulated and signed the bill anyway. 

It’s highly unusual for lawmakers to change a statute while its facing a legal challenge, but I don’t think the gun banners in the state capitol care much about tradition or precedent here. 

So what changes are in store, and why is she proposing revisions at the last possible moment? Former delegate Tim Anderson, among others, says the amendments are likely in response to the multiple lawsuits that have been filed over the gun and magazine ban. 

So the Governor is going to send amendments to the General Assembly on bills she has signed into law. Amending bills can be done prior to enactment.

Hearing she is going to be amending the assault weapons bill. Is it possible that she will ban Tanks following my Facebook post…

— Tim Anderson (@AssocAnderson) June 23, 2026

She’s likely going to address points raised in lawsuits.  Such as what is importing a firearm?? If it’s my gun in Florida and I bring it into Virginia – am I importing it? What if I leave Va with an AR15 and come back in 2 weeks later with the same firearm? Is that importing? What about pawn redemptions after July 1? 

Can you sell “assault weapons” to dealers? 

Can FFLs still receive “assault weapons” to be sold out of state? 

Can FFLs receive pistols with magazines larger than 15? 

There are so many questions – and no one can give an answer.  State Police has no guidance so everyone is on their own. It’s bull$hit that no one has a clear understanding of dos and donts because the idiot patrons have no idea how the gun industry works and we can’t get basic guidance from the State Police.

It’s also possible that Spanberger will once again try to insert the language that would make it illegal to carry a firearm equipped with a magazine that can hold more than 15 rounds. If she’s had discussions on the gun ban language with lawmakers after signing the bill into law, anything is possible at this point, but so long as the legislation still prohibits the sale, manufacture, and transfer of commonly-owned arms it’s still going to face litigation in both state and federal courts. 

Lawmakers are due back at the the statehouse next Monday, so we’ll know before long what the governor is planning. Whatever she’s up to, my guess is that Second Amendment supporters aren’t going to be pleased about her proposed changes. 

Editor’s Note: The radical Left will stop at nothing to enact their radical gun control agenda and strip us of our Second Amendment rights.

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