An increasing number of sheriffs and federal attorneys are opposing the proposed AR-15 ban, with 12 sheriffs and 17 prosecutors now stating they won’t enforce it.
On May 25, 2026, reports indicated that Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey declared he would not back the ban. Shortly after, another article highlighted the growing resistance among prosecutors against this proposal.
By May 30, 2026, reports emerged detailing that Clark County Sheriff Travis Sumption also announced he would not enforce the state’s restrictions on “assault weapons” and expanded public carry.
Philip Van Cleve, who leads the Virginia Civil Defense League, shared a list confirming that 17 prosecutors and 12 sheriffs have refused to implement the ban.
This is the prosecutor taking a stand for the gun rights of Virginians:
- W. Lyle Carver, Amherst County
- Leslie M. Fleet, Appomattox County
- Paul A. McAndrews, Campbell County
- Daniel J. Farnsworth Jr., Charlotte County
- Matthew E. Bass, Clark County
- W. Eric Brancomb, Floyd County
- John L. Lumpkins Jr., Goochland County
- Bethany Harrison, Lynchburg
- Chapman L. Good, Sr., Page County
- Dana K. Bobbitt, Patrick County
- Rob Cerullo, Powhatan County
- Justin L. Griffith, Pulaski County
- Kyle Kilgore, Scott County
- Elizabeth H. Cooper, Shenandoah County
- Philip Blevins, Smith County
- Ryan Mehaffey, Spotsylvania County
- John S. Bell, Warren County
The sheriffs who have taken a stand include: Appomattox County Sheriff, Robert N. Richardson; Clark County Sheriff, Travis M. Sumption; Floyd County Sheriff, Brian Craig; Hanover County Sheriff, Gregory W. Sixx; Henry County Sheriff, Wayne Davis; Louisa County Sheriff, Donald Rowe; Patrick County Sheriff, Daniel M. Smith; Powhatan County Sheriff, Brad W. Nunnally Jr.; Scott County Sheriff, Jeff B. Edds; Shenandoah County Sheriff, Timothy C. Carter; Spotsylvania County Sheriff, Roger L. Harris; and Warren County Sheriff, Crystal M. Klein.
The ban on AR-15s, as well as on magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds, is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
