On Monday, the Senate Judiciary and Courts Committee in Virginia, which is controlled by Democrats, approved a bill aimed at banning semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
The bill, designated as SB749, passed with a vote of 9-5.
The legislation seeks to prohibit what Democrats label as “assault rifles,” defining this category to encompass many common semi-automatic rifles, as well as several types of pistols and shotguns.
For instance, an “assault rifle” is described as a semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol that has a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds.
Moreover, the bill stipulates that “assault rifle” also pertains to any semi-automatic centerfire rifle with a removable magazine possessing features such as: a collapsible stock; a thumbhole stock or pistol grip that noticeably extends below the rifle’s action; a secondary grip for non-trigger hand use; or a threaded barrel that can accommodate various attachments like flash suppressors or muzzle brakes.
If this ban on centerfire rifles gets enacted, it would impact popular models like the AR-15, AR-10, and AK-47, among others.
The legislation also encompasses pistols featuring removable magazines and specific characteristics, including secondary grips or the capacity for accepting exterior magazines. This could effectively include many concealed carry firearms simply due to having threaded barrels.
Semi-automatic shotguns would also face restrictions if they exhibit traits such as collapsible stocks or the capability of accepting removable magazines with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding seven rounds, among other criteria.
As stated, this ban could affect several firearms commonly kept for home defense.
Breitbart News highlighted that following the Virginia Democratic Party’s inauguration on January 8, 2026, they quickly moved forward with their agenda concerning the Second Amendment.
On January 10, 2026, Democrats proposed a $500 tax on suppressor sales and introduced a ban on “assault weapons.”
By January 15, 2026, the NRA-ILA observed that Democrats had introduced HB 919, which proposed an 11% excise tax on firearm and ammunition sales.
Additionally, HB 916, which would expand curriculum requirements for concealed carry permit classes, and HB 901, extending the state’s red flag law, were also presented.
The list of proposals continues to grow…
