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A Virginia judge has temporarily blocked restrictions on certain semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines, preventing the law from taking effect as scheduled July 1.
Lancaster County Circuit Judge John Martin issued the preliminary injunction June 25. The order halted restrictions on the import, sale, manufacture, purchase or transfer of firearms and magazines covered by the law.
The injunction is not a final decision on the constitutional challenge. It instead stops the restrictions from taking effect while leaving the ultimate dispute unresolved.
The legislation has direct ties to Fairfax County. Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim and Del. Dan Helmer, both Fairfax Democrats, introduced the measures in their respective chambers. Salim sponsored Senate Bill 749, while Helmer sponsored House Bill 217. The two bills were described as identical.
The Virginia General Assembly passed the legislation, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed it into law. Under the challenged restrictions, a violation would constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Supporters maintain that the restrictions comply with the Virginia Constitution. Opponents dispute their constitutionality. Martin’s preliminary order does not provide a final resolution of those competing positions.
The available information does not establish a precise capacity threshold for the magazines covered by the law. It also does not identify the litigants, the case number, the specific firearm models or characteristics covered, or the judge’s legal reasoning.
For now, the practical result is that the restrictions did not become enforceable on their planned July 1 effective date. Any final determination about whether the law may stand will require a later resolution of the constitutional challenge.