Virginia Democrats reintroduce assault weapons ban, this time, with likely ally in Spanberger

WASHINGTON — An assault weapons ban was introduced into the Virginia General Assembly for a third year in a row on Wednesday as Commonwealth Democrats eye a wishlist of proposals that had proven mostly untenable under the previous Republican administration. 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, whose term ended Saturday, had vetoed about a dozen Democrat-introduced gun laws that passed the General Assembly during his tenure, including assault weapons bans in 2024 and 2025. Youngkin claimed the measures were unconstitutional in his veto explanations, suggesting that the General Assembly instead focus on harsher sentencing guidelines for criminals and “investments in behavioral health.” 

“The twofold approach can provide a real solution without creating outcomes that would affect law-abiding citizens and violating Virginia’s constitutional rights,” Youngkin wrote in response to the March 2025 bill. 

Saddam Azlan Salim, a Democrat from Falls Church who co-sponsored the 2025 assault weapons bill, said on Wednesday that he would also sponsor its 2026 reintroduction. 

“Gun violence is an epidemic in this country — and we need to take action to stop it. In crafting this legislation,” Salim said. “I consulted with public safety experts, legislators around the country, and survivors of gun violence who have turned their pain into action and made this change possible.” 

And, this time, Gov. Abigail Spanberger appears to share Salim’s stance. On Monday, during the Democratic governor’s first speech in front of a joint session of the General Assembly, Spanberger criticized Youngkin’s vetoes of what she referred to as “commonsense steps.” 

“Over the last four years, dozens of gun safety bills have been vetoed — many of which had passed through the General Assembly with bipartisan support,” Spanberger said. “This includes legislation that would ban ghost guns, restrict access to firearms to convicted domestic abusers, and strengthen red flag laws for those who might be a danger to themselves or others.”  

In the Code of Virginia, an “assault firearm” is defined as “any semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles.” Specifically, any gun that has the capacity to hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition, or that can accommodate a silencer or a folding stock, is an assault weapon.

Commonwealth laws restricting these weapons have been generally confined to use and transportation among non-citizens. 

Salim’s law would ban all assault firearms, as defined by Virginia law, beginning July 1.