Virginia Assault‑Weapon Ban Blocked After $1 Million Everytown Push

Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Virginia’s SB 749, an assault‑weapon ban, on May 14, 2025. The legislation, backed by gun‑control groups including Everytown, was funded in part by a $1 million advertising campaign that helped Spanberger win the 2025 gubernatorial race.

Pro‑Second Amendment organizations, such as the NRA and the Second Amendment Foundation, sued the ban. State courts issued orders blocking SB 749 on July 21, less than three weeks after the law’s intended July 1 start date. The legal setbacks coincided with a surge in firearm purchases: the FBI recorded over 73,000 background checks in Virginia during May, more than double the previous month’s total, and dealers reported rapid sales of AR‑15‑style rifles.

Rob Romano of the Firearms Policy Coalition highlighted the irony, noting that Everytown’s spending “ended up with a short‑lived ban and potentially more guns in the state.” The episode illustrates how rapid litigation can produce unintended market effects in the ongoing national debate over gun regulation.