Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has just a few hours to decide whether she will sign gun control legislation that would transform firearm rights in the commonwealth.
If Ms. Spanberger chooses not to sign the bills by midnight, they will automatically become law. The Democratic governor has often said she will support gun control bills that come to her desk.
The legislation has set off a fierce debate among Republicans and gun rights advocates who are threatening legal challenges and Democrats who say the package of gun control measures will save lives.
The focus of much of the debate is House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, which would restrict “assault firearms” but offer different descriptions of the weapons.
House Bill 217 would limit firearms that can hold more than 10 rounds, while Senate Bill 749 would restrict the magazine limit to 15 rounds and eliminate pistols from the classification.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter on Friday to Ms. Spanberger warning her about signing the firearms ban or she will face a lawsuit from the Department of Justice.
“This letter provides formal notice that the Civil Rights Division will commence litigation in the event the Commonwealth of Virginia enacts certain bills that unconstitutionally limit law-abiding Americans’ individual right to bear arms,” Ms. Dhillon wrote.
“Specifically, SB 749, as written, would require Virginia law enforcement agencies to engage in a practice of unconstitutionally restricting the making, buying, or selling of AR- 15s and many other semi-automatic firearms in common use.”
The Washington Times reached out to Ms. Spanberger’s office for comment.
Ms. Spanberger signed four pieces of legislation on Friday related to restricting firearms in Virginia:
• HB19, SB160: Closing the “intimate partner loophole” by prohibiting intimate partners convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes from possessing a firearm.
• HB93, SB38: Specifying that a person subject to a protective order or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm may transfer their firearm to a person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, who is 21 years of age or older, and who does not live in their home.
• HB40, SB323: Banning the manufacture, sale and possession of untraceable firearms without serial numbers that law enforcement cannot track, commonly known as “ghost guns.”
• HB21, SB27: Allowing firearm manufacturers and dealers to be held legally accountable when negligent business practices contribute to gun violence.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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