Virginia moves to ban common semi-automatic firearms

On 2026-04-20, the Virginia General Assembly passed SB 749/HB 217, advancing a proposed ban on certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines. The measure would prohibit future sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of the covered firearms, with violations carrying a Class 1 misdemeanor charge. The article also says the governor expanded the scope of the proposal, but the clearest discrete political action described is the legislature’s passage of the bill.