A slate of gun control bills moved forward this week in Richmond, setting off alarms among gun owners across Virginia who say the proposals go far beyond public safety and inch dangerously close to broad firearm bans.
Along strict party lines, Democrats on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee approved legislation that would ban the sale, manufacture, and purchase of certain firearms classified in the bill as “assault weapons.” The same measure would also outlaw magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
Supporters of the legislation argue the bill is designed to slowly reduce the number of these firearms in circulation without immediately criminalizing current owners.
“This approach avoids retroactive punishment,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Saddam Salim of Fairfax, who told the committee the goal is to phase weapons out over time.
But opponents — including Republican lawmakers and many gun rights advocates — say that explanation ignores how widely used and legally owned these firearms and magazines already are in Virginia.
“This Isn’t Narrow — It’s Broad”
Republicans warned that the language in the bill could impact a large number of commonly owned firearms, including handguns that accept magazines holding more than ten rounds — something many Virginians rely on for home defense.
“Every handgun that isn’t a single-shot effectively becomes suspect under this bill,” said Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle of Hanover County. “This isn’t a narrow safety measure. It’s a sweeping restriction that limits lawful ownership.”
In much of Virginia — especially outside Northern Virginia — firearms are part of everyday life. They’re used for hunting, farm protection, sport shooting, and personal defense. Critics argue lawmakers pushing these bills are disconnected from that reality.
Mandatory Biometric Gun Storage Raises New Concerns
Another bill approved by the committee would require gun owners with children in the home to store firearms in locked containers that can only be opened using biometric technology, such as fingerprint scanners.
Supporters cited tragic cases involving young children accessing unsecured firearms to justify the mandate.
Opponents, however, raised concerns about cost, reliability, and government intrusion into private homes.
“These biometric safes aren’t cheap, and they’re not foolproof,” said one citizen who testified against the bill. “Gun safety is the responsibility of the owner — not something the state should dictate through expensive technology requirements.”
Rural gun owners also questioned how such mandates would be enforced and whether they could expose otherwise law-abiding families to criminal penalties.
Ghost Gun Ban Advances as Well
The committee also advanced a bill banning the sale or possession of untraceable firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns,” which lack serial numbers.
Democrats say these weapons are increasingly appearing at crime scenes. Critics counter that criminals already ignore gun laws, and that additional restrictions will primarily affect hobbyists and lawful builders — not violent offenders.
A Growing Divide Between Richmond and the Rest of Virginia
All of the gun-related measures passed strictly along party lines, highlighting a growing divide between lawmakers in Richmond and large portions of the state where gun ownership is common and culturally ingrained.
As these bills move forward, many Virginians are watching closely — not just as a political debate, but as a question of rights, self-defense, and how far the state should go in regulating lawful gun ownership.