Virginia Democrats STRIP Gun Rights—Midnight Deadline TODAY

(PatriotNews.net) – Virginia Democrats race against today’s midnight deadline to strip law-abiding citizens of popular semi-automatic rifles, high-capacity magazines, and Second Amendment rights under a sweeping 25-bill gun control assault.

Story at a Glance

Governor Abigail Spanberger must act by 11:59 p.m. today on 25 gun control bills passed by Democrat-led legislature, including bans on assault weapons and magazines over 15 rounds.
Bills reverse Republican Governor Youngkin’s 2025 vetoes of 18 similar measures, with 14 reintroduced and passed this session.
NRA vows immediate lawsuits if signed, calling measures an attack on firearms in common use by lawful owners.
Pro-gun bills also await action, offering concealed carry reforms and honors for fallen officers’ families.
Decision highlights Virginia’s shift to Democrat control post-2025 election, fueling national Second Amendment debates.

Deadline Looms on Gun Control Package

Governor Abigail Spanberger faces a midnight deadline today, April 13, 2026, to sign, veto, or amend approximately 25 gun control bills sent by the Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly. The legislature adjourned March 14 after passing these measures during its January-March session. Bills reached her desk March 10. Her spokesperson expressed pride in lawmakers’ efforts without revealing her plans. This marks a pivotal moment since Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed 18 similar bills in 2025.

Major Bills Target Common Firearms

SB749 and HB217 ban certain semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns labeled “assault weapons,” prohibit magazines exceeding 15 rounds, and bar possession by adults under 21. The NRA deems these an attempt to redefine and ban firearms commonly used by law-abiding citizens for self-defense and hunting. SB323 and HB40 outlaw unserialized firearms, including plastic ones, and penalize owners of lawfully bought unfinished frames. HB1525 and SB643 raise handgun and assault firearm purchase age from 18 to 21. These provisions directly challenge Second Amendment protections for individual liberty and self-reliance.

Expanded red flag laws empower doctors, family, and school officials to seek temporary firearm removal from at-risk individuals. Additional bills impose penalties for unsecured guns near children and bar possession by those convicted of misdemeanor hate crime assaults. Democrats reintroduced 16 of Youngkin’s vetoed bills, passing 14 plus new ones, showcasing their legislative push after gaining the governorship in 2025.

Gun Rights Groups Mobilize Opposition

The National Rifle Association prepares litigation if Governor Spanberger signs the bills, with its team actively working on challenges. Virginia Citizens Defense League opposes the restrictions while supporting pro-gun measures. Moms Demand Action hails the package as historic gun safety wins. Legislative leaders Speaker Don Scott and Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell back the reforms. Power tilts toward Democrats controlling both chambers and the executive, yet public pressure and courts offer recourse for gun owners valuing constitutional rights.

Two pro-gun bills also pend: HB101 streamlines concealed handgun permit applications by allowing alternatives to written submissions. SB86 lets immediate family of slain law enforcement officers buy their service weapon for $1, honoring their sacrifice. Bills like HB919, an 11% tax on guns and ammo, deferred to 2027. Failed measures included permit-to-purchase requirements and waiting periods.

If enacted, Virginia enacts one of the strictest gun regimes recently, impacting owners, dealers, and manufacturers with compliance burdens and sales limits. Gun rights advocates see this as government overreach eroding personal freedoms amid national frustrations with elite-driven policies that prioritize control over individual rights. Both conservatives decrying Second Amendment threats and liberals wary of deep state overreach share concerns about distant officials undermining the American Dream of self-determination. NRA litigation could test these laws’ constitutionality swiftly.