“If you want access to (insert demonized gun here), you should join the military.”
How many times have you heard that particular chestnut? It’s a common refrain from people who also seem to think that our Founding Fathers didn’t want us having military-grade, or better, guns in our personal arsenals.
Regardless, anti-gunners often think that some guns are only fit for the military, and the 18-year-olds they don’t want buying a long gun are fine when they have an actual M16 in hand.
But their hypocrisy, at least in Virginia, knows no bounds. See, while the Old Dominion State has more military bases than any other state on the East Coast, they clearly don’t trust many of the members of that military.
Well so much for being the most veteran and active duty friendly state. This bill passed today is extremely limiting and restrictive taking away 2nd Amendment rights for those under 21 . Take note no democrat senators have served in law enforcement nor the military yet make laws… pic.twitter.com/J26JeFbPPh
— Bryce Reeves (@ReevesVA) March 14, 2026
The bill in question basically makes it so that no one under the age of 21 can purchase or possess what the bill defines as an “assault firearm,” which is a semi-auto rifle that is capable of holding a magazine of more than 20 rounds, accept a suppressor, or possesses a folding stock, or a shotgun that is capable of holding seven of the longest shells available for that model. It also prevents under-21s from purchasing or possessing handguns.
There is no exception for military personnel unless they’re carrying out their official duties.
So, an 18-year-old National Guard member who trains one weekend a month can carry an M4 on the streets of Richmond if called upon, but a 20-year-old Navy SEAL can’t buy a semi-auto AR-15.
Seriously.
Now, I have no issue with the National Guard kid having a weapon. That’s part of his mission, and I get it. I just think that he, as well as his friends who didn’t enlist, should be able to have full access to their Second Amendment rights, much as the Navy SEAL should.
I’ve got a soft spot for Virginia, and part of that is because of my time there as a member of the military. I got there when I was 20 years old, so had this been in effect at the time, it would have impacted me directly, at least for the first year I spent in the state. While I probably wasn’t the best example of a responsible 20-year-old at the time–some would argue I’m not the best example of a responsible 52-year-old now, in all fairness–the idea that I was unworthy of all of my constitutionally protected rights bothers me.
The truth, though, is that I don’t like exceptions to the law for certain groups, as a general thing. Yet with the military, some of these people are transferring into the state from states that had more respect for people’s rights. That alone is bound to cause some friction, and the bill doesn’t address that in the least.
Moreover, this is a stupid law on the face of things, and should have as many exceptions as humanly possible if Virginia Democrats are bound and determined to make this happen.
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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