Clark County Sheriff Declines to Enforce New Gun Regulations

In a letter dated May 29, 2026, Sheriff Travis Sumption of Clark County, Virginia, announced that he will not enforce the state’s ban on “assault weapons” nor the expanded restrictions on public property. He was supported in this stance by Clark County Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew E. Bass.

Bass noted, “For decades, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right for people to keep and bear arms. This right is similarly recognized in the Virginia Constitution… Clark County has a strong culture of firearm ownership, hunting, recreational shooting, self-defense, and family protection. This was affirmed on January 6, 2020, through a resolution backed unanimously by the Clark County Board of Supervisors.”

He further explained that Richmond’s new law affects: 1) the purchase, sale, transfer, possession, or transport of firearms, ammunition, or magazines that were legal prior to July 1, 2026; and 2) the expanded carry limits while using public transport pose significant challenges to the existing legal principles valued by Clark County residents.

The letter emphasized not just the challenges posed by the new law against existing rights, but also pointed out a more practical concern: the sheriff’s office does not have the resources to enforce all components of the new gun regulations.

Both Sheriff Sumption and Attorney Bass have clearly stated that they will not enforce the new regulations concerning “nonviolent offenders.”