Virginia gun dealers are once again selling AR-15-style rifles and magazines holding more than 15 rounds after a court blocked enforcement of the state’s new firearms restrictions statewide.
The change comes after a Virginia judge expanded an injunction against the state’s recently enacted assault weapons law, allowing retailers to resume sales while legal challenges move forward. The ruling follows last week’s decision by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down New Jersey’s ban on AR-15-style rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds, adding momentum to Second Amendment advocates challenging similar laws across the country.
Dealers resume sales
The statewide injunction halted enforcement of Virginia’s ban on the sale of many semiautomatic rifles, including AR-15-style firearms, along with magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds.
Several national firearms retailers quickly announced they would resume accepting orders from Virginia customers once the expanded injunction took effect, ending weeks of uncertainty over whether the law would remain enforceable during the litigation.
Legal fight far from over
The injunction does not permanently overturn Virginia’s law. Instead, it preserves the status quo while courts consider whether the restrictions violate the Second Amendment.
The underlying lawsuit argues the law conflicts with the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires modern firearm regulations to be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of gun regulation. Virginia officials continue to defend the law and are expected to appeal the injunction.
New Jersey ruling boosts gun rights advocates
The Virginia case comes just days after the 3rd Circuit became the first federal appeals court to strike down a state ban on so-called assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
That ruling declared New Jersey’s restrictions on AR-15-style rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds unconstitutional, creating a split among federal appeals courts after another circuit recently upheld Illinois’ ban. The conflicting decisions increase the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether states may prohibit the sale of commonly owned semiautomatic rifles.
Supreme Court battle looms
For now, Virginians can once again purchase AR-15-style rifles and magazines exceeding the state’s 15-round limit while the injunction remains in effect.
Whether those sales continue long term will likely depend on the outcome of the ongoing litigation — and, potentially, a future Supreme Court ruling that could settle the constitutionality of assault weapon bans nationwide.
READ NEXT: Viral Video Captures Fiery National Anthem Showdown
