by Kevin Killough
The National Rifle Association is suing Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger for her signing of a measure to make illegal the buying, selling, importing, manufacturing and/or the transfer of assault weapons in the state.
Spanberger said she signed the assault weapons ban bill “because firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets.”
“We are taking this step to protect families and support the law enforcement officers who work every day to keep our communities safe,” said Spanberger. “While the General Assembly chose not to adopt my amendment that specifically carves out certain firearms frequently used for hunting, I will work with the patrons to clarify this language.”
The NRA filed lawsuits in both federal and state courts, arguing the law is unconstitutional.
Supporters argue the legislation removes “weapons of war” from the streets, making Virginia safer from violence, but opponents argue the law punishes law-abiding citizens, WRIC reported.
“As promised, we are taking Abigail Spanberger to court,” the NRA, the Second Amendment rights group said in a statement.
“Throughout the legislative session, the NRA and our members fought Richmond’s radical gun control package tooth and nail. We made it clear that this extreme anti-gun proposal, which bans the new purchase of commonly owned firearms and standard capacity magazines in the Commonwealth, is a blatant violation of Second Amendment rights and an affront to landmark Supreme Court cases.”
Other lawsuits are coming. Gun Owners of America and the Virginia Citizens Defense League are planning to file lawsuits on Friday. The Trump administration has also warned it was planning to take legal action if the bill was signed into law.
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Kevin Killough is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network and contributed to this story.
Photo “Abigail Spanberger” by Abigail Spanberger.
