Virginia Gun Sales Double as July 1 Assault Weapons Ban Approaches

Executive Briefing

• Surges recorded with 75,376 FBI background checks in May alone, more than double May 2025 figures
• Gov. Spanberger signed Democrat-backed ban prohibiting semi-automatic firearms with magazines over 15 rounds
• Retailers report shelves wiping out weekly as buyers rush to purchase AR-15-style rifles and components
• Total 347,167 checks through May already on pace to far exceed all 521,283 conducted in 2024
• Violations under the new law carry misdemeanor penalties; retailers hope courts will overturn the measure