Washington circuit court pumps brakes on Virginia gun, magazine bans

In a major victory for the right to keep and bear arms, the Washington Circuit Court on June 29 granted a statewide preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of Virginia’s newly enacted “assault firearm” and magazine bans, finding that the plaintiffs demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on their claim that the bans violate Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution.

The case, Santolla v. Katz, challenges legislation signed into law by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on May 14, 2026, that was scheduled to take effect on July 1. In a June 29 opinion letter, Judge Jeffrey L. Campbell concluded that the challenged laws likely violate the Virginia Constitution’s guarantee of the right to keep and bear arms.

Related article: Virginia demonstrates importance of electing pro-gun governor

“The NRA’s world-class legal team delivered a clear, powerful argument demonstrating that Abigail Spanberger’s gun ban is a blatant constitutional infringement on the rights of law-abiding Virginians,” said John Commerford, NRA-ILA executive director. “Our strategy has now secured a comprehensive statewide injunction, blocking enforcement of this law until the courts hear our full case. This is a major victory, but our mission is not complete. We will not rest until this unconstitutional measure is struck down in its entirety and added to the long list of gun control laws the NRA has removed from the books for good.”

In reaching its decision, the court held that the plaintiffs satisfied each of the requirements for preliminary injunctive relief. The court found that the plaintiffs demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits because the Virginia Constitution provides robust protections for the right to keep and bear arms and the challenged restrictions likely cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny. It further determined that Virginians would suffer irreparable harm through the loss of constitutional rights absent an injunction, that the balance of equities favored protecting those rights, and that the public interest is served by preventing enforcement of laws that are likely unconstitutional.

The court’s order preserves the status quo while the litigation proceeds, preventing the Commonwealth from enforcing the challenged provisions beginning July 1. The case will now proceed on the merits.

© 2026 National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action. This may be reproduced. This may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.