Virginia judge blocks assault weapons ban six days before implementation - Courthouse News

In a dramatic turn for gun rights advocates, a Virginia judge has issued a statewide preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking the state's controversial 'assault weapons' ban just six days before it was set to take effect on July 1. Lancaster County Circuit Judge John Martin sided with gun rights groups, finding the state unlikely to prove the new law aligns with Virginia's constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The ruling marks a significant legal victory for plaintiffs, including the Gun Owners of America and Virginia Citizens Defense League, who argued the ban on commonly used semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity magazines violated the Virginia Constitution's Article I, Section 13. This decision follows intense debate and legal battles, including a recent US Supreme Court ruling in 'Wolford v. Lopez' that Judge Martin found instructive, emphasizing the historical tradition of firearm regulation. Attorney General Jay Jones, who had championed the ban as a crucial step against gun violence, immediately announced plans to appeal the injunction. With the injunction in place until at least December 31, 2026, or a final court order, the battle over gun control in Virginia is far from over. Attorney General Jones is set to file a motion to stay the ruling and appeal the temporary injunction, promising a vigorous defense of the state's legislative efforts to curb gun violence. This legal clash is part of a broader national conversation on Second Amendment rights and could influence similar legislative challenges across the United States.