Showing posts with label gun ban. Show all posts

27 June 2026

Virginia judge blocks assault weapons ban from taking effect on July 1 25JUN26

IT is time to level the playing field and make sure those who decide the general public will face risk from all kinds of guns almost everywhere are included. Gun restrictions at courthouses and Commonwealth attorney's offices and judge's offices and sheriff's offices should be removed so these people who supposedly believe in totally unfettered 2nd Amendment "rights" face the same possibility of gun violence as the general public. Won't it be ironic if these people or or their supporters or members of their families or friends or co-workers experience the consequences of their decisions? Enough of this political, judicial and law enforcement hypocrisy! From CBS6 WTVR in Richmond, Virginia.....

Virginia judge blocks assault weapons ban from taking effect on July 1

By: WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff

Posted 5:53 PM, Jun 25, 2026

and last updated 12:03 PM, Jun 26, 2026

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia judge has granted a preliminary injunction stopping Virginia State Police from enforcing the state's assault weapons ban, which was set to take effect July 1.

The injunction lasts until December 31 or until a final order is released, according to Courthouse News.

House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore released a statement on the judge's decision.

"Today's ruling from Lancaster County is welcome, but not unexpected. Republicans warned Democrats repeatedly during the regular session that this law was clearly unconstitutional under multiple U.S. Supreme Court rulings. We look forward to seeing this and other cases continue through the courts."

The Virginia Citizens Defense League also responded, saying it is "extremely pleased with the temporary injunction that was issued today against the unconstitutional assault firearm ban."

"We expect the Commonwealth to appeal and we expect to prevail."

Attorney General Jay Jones confirmed the Commonwealth will appeal, issuing a statement that reads:

"Gun violence is the key driver of violent crime in this Commonwealth and nation, and assault weapons are designed intentionally to inflict maximum damage in a matter of seconds. The assault weapons ban passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor will save lives in the Commonwealth and is compliant with the Constitution of Virginia. This ruling is disappointing and puts our communities at risk. The Commonwealth will urgently file a motion to stay this ruling and appeal this temporary injunction. We will continue to vigorously defend Virginia's assault weapons ban and magazine capacity restrictions and uphold the laws designed to keep Virginians safe."

A spokesperson for Jones said on Friday it was their belief that the injunction only applies to VSP, since Col. Jeffrey Katz was and local law enforcement and Commonwealth's Attorneys could still enforce the law (although some jurisdictions have said they will not enforce the law over concerns about its constitutionality).

But the spokesperson added that another lawsuit challenging the ban in Washington County was heard on Thursday and includes some Commonwealth's Attorneys as defendants. She said they are expecting a ruling from the judge in the coming days and if an injunction is granted, it could have a more sweeping effect on enforcement.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger's office shared the following statement to the Lancaster ruling:

"Governor Spanberger firmly believes that firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong in our communities, near our kids and schools, or on Virginia’s streets. The Governor signed this commonsense legislation to save lives and protect law enforcement officers, kids, and families from gun violence — and the Governor remains committed to making the Commonwealth a safer place for every family."

28 May 2026

Spotsylvania's top prosecutor tells why he won't enforce tighter gun laws 27MAI26

I sent this comment to News4 after watching and reading their report on Virginia's new gun laws. I sent it as suggested follow-up to this report...

" Quoting the Spotsylvania Commonwealth Attorney “It’s fundamentally opposed to a free society, a society where liberty reigns," Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey said." Is his office in a government building ( 9111 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 ) that prohibits private citizens from bringing their guns into the building? If it is that seems to be very hypocritical considering his views on a free society where liberty reigns. I would like to hear a reporter ask all these commonwealth attorneys if their offices are in secured buildings or if they face the same exposure of possible gun violence as the rest of us wherever we are. And as public employees how are these people able to decide what laws they will and will not enforce. How many of us are able to tell our employers which of our job task we will and will not do? I suggest these people exercise their freedoms and liberties and resign and find new jobs in our free society."

Spotsylvania's top prosecutor tells why he won't enforce tighter gun laws

“It’s fundamentally opposed to a free society, a society where liberty reigns," Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey said.

By Drew Wilder • Published May 26, 2026 • Updated on May 27, 2026 at 11:01 am

New Virginia laws banning the sale and transfer of assault weapons go into effect in about five weeks. But at least five conservative prosecutors say they won’t enforce them.

Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey said he believes the laws violate the Constitution.

“The Second Amendment is alive and well in Spotsylvania County,” he told News4.

The commonwealth will ban the sale and manufacture of certain semi-automatic weapons, shifting gun laws to more closely align with states such as California and Illinois. But as Virginia teeters from purple to blue and back again, some elected officials are making clear that the new laws won't be enforced in their counties.

Attorney General Jay Jones said in a statement: “Commonwealth’s Attorneys are elected to enforce our laws, which is what we expect them to do when these laws take effect on July 1.”

The law will make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for people to buy, sell, transfer, import, or manufacture an assault firearm.

Mehaffey said the law is in direct conflict with the Second Amendment.

“It’s fundamentally opposed to a free society, a society where liberty reigns. And this is the moment in time where the Second Amendment was drafted and enacted, where the government couldn't take the right of the people to defend themselves away,” he said.

Eleven other states and D.C. already have versions of their own assault weapons ban. The details and laws vary and they've been challenged in the courts. In fact, several lawsuits have already been filed against Virginia's new ban.

“Every assault weapons ban that has gone before a federal court in this country has been upheld, including, most importantly, Maryland's,” said Mary Kenah of Everytown for Gun Safety.

She said Maryland's ban is considered more restrictive than Virginia's and was upheld by the same court that presides over Virginia. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up this case, so Maryland's assault weapon ban remains in place.

“The people of Virginia showed that their priority is gun-violence prevention. They elected a former Moms Demand Action volunteer as their governor,” Kenah said.

In places such a Spotsylvania County, they've elected Mehaffey as their prosecutor. It’s a county that surprised a lot of people in November when it voted blue, in favor of Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

Despite that shift, Mehaffey said he's confident that his position against the new assault weapons ban is what his constituents want.

Other prosecutors who have said they won’t enforce Virginia’s assault weapons ban are from Powhatan, Pulaski, Scott and Smyth counties.

VirginiaApr 14

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