Full Breakdown
Justice Department Sues Virginia and California Over New Gun Restrictions
7/2/2026, 4:58:33 AM
Federal Lawsuits Target New State Gun Restrictions
On July 1, 2026 the Justice Department sued Virginia and California over newly enacted gun restrictions. Virginia’s SB 749 bans the sale, manufacture and transfer of semiautomatic rifles, pistols and shotguns with features such as magazines over 15 rounds and folding stocks, targeting AR-15-type rifles. California’s law bars the sale of handguns convertible to fully automatic fire via inexpensive “Glock switches” and updates the handgun roster. The suits allege Second Amendment violations and coincide with the Supreme Court’s pending AR-15 case.
Data & Statistics
Investigators recovered 11,088 conversion devices from 2019-2023 crime scenes; they were used in the 2022 Sacramento shooting that killed six and injured twelve. Glock pistols are among the nation’s most popular handguns. Over 32 million modern sporting rifles circulate, and the DOJ notes AR-15-style rifles are “in common use” by millions of owners.
Official Statements & Responses
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones called the ban “commonsense” for safety; Governor Spanberger said firearms designed for mass casualties have no place in communities. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the state’s gun laws “effective and constitutional” and linked them to low death rates. Both states will defend the statutes in federal court.
Criticism & Opposition
Gun-rights groups argue the laws overreach. NRA-ILA director John Commerford praised the DOJ for protecting the Second Amendment; the California Rifle & Pistol Association’s Chuck Michel called the California ban unconstitutional. Virginia sheriffs have refused to enforce the ban, and the NRA has filed separate challenges.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Virginia’s ban is blocked by a preliminary injunction, yet the DOJ seeks a nationwide injunction. California’s handgun roster is partially enjoined in a separate 2023 case on appeal. The DOJ cites Bruen but notes divergent Fourth Circuit precedent.
Why It Matters
The suits test the Second Amendment’s scope after the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen ruling and precede the Court’s upcoming AR-15 arguments, potentially setting nationwide precedent for assault-weapon bans and handgun restrictions.
What's Next
The DOJ has asked for preliminary and permanent injunctions. Virginia officials will appeal the Lancaster County order; California will respond as the Ninth Circuit reviews the earlier roster case. The Supreme Court is slated to hear AR-15 arguments later this year, which may directly affect both lawsuits.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Constitution is not a suggestion, and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
- “The Civil Rights Division will defend law-abiding citizens from states that seek to disarm them illegally,” — Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General
- “On April 10, I promised Governor Spanberger that we would sue Virginia if she signed this unconstitutional weapons ban into law. I keep my promises,” — Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General
- “Time and time again, the Trump administration has stood strong and delivered on its promise: the Second Amendment will never again be treated as a second-class right,” — John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director
- “SB749 infringes the right of law-abiding Virginians to purchase and sell AR-15 style rifles and therefore violates the Second Amendment,” — Department of Justice complaint
