Overview

• Democrats, having taken control of the General Assembly in Virginia, are seeking to pass an assault weapons ban as one of the first bills for the 2024 session.
• The proposed bills would make the buying, selling, or transferring of an assault firearm a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail.
• The bills also include a ban on large-capacity ammunition feeding device sales and prohibit someone previously convicted of violating gun laws from buying, selling, or transferring a firearm for three years after their conviction.
• Other Democratic priorities include ensuring access to abortion, speeding up an increase in the state’s minimum wage, and automatically restoring the rights of convicted felons who have completed their sentences.
• The proposed legislation is expected to provoke conflict with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who was denied the ability to enact a conservative agenda due to the Democratic majority.