Gun purchases in Virginia have surged as a July 1 ban on the sale of semi‑automatic rifles and pistols that accept magazines over 15 rounds approaches. FBI data shows background checks jumped to 75,376 in May from 37,167 in May 2025, with a March peak of 79,846. Retailers report rapid sell‑through of AR‑15 parts and complete firearms. The law makes buying, selling, transferring, or making newly defined "assault firearms" a misdemeanor, and sponsors say it aims to gradually reduce these weapons without retroactive criminalization.
Virginia Gun Purchases Surge Ahead Of July 1 Ban On High‑Capacity Magazines
AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly, Va., on Jan. 9, 2015.(Getty Images)
Gun purchases in Virginia have climbed sharply in recent months as a July 1 deadline approaches for a new law that bans the sale of certain assault‑style firearms that accept magazines holding more than 15 rounds, FBI background‑check data shows.
The measure, carried by Democrats in the state legislature, prohibits the sale of semi‑automatic rifles or pistols that accept magazines with capacities greater than 15 rounds. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the bill into law last month; the restriction takes effect on July 1.
Weapons are displayed at a gun shop in Manassas, Va., as gun and ammunition sales have surged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Background checks tied to firearm purchases have risen dramatically since the proposal was introduced in January. In May there were 75,376 checks — more than double the 37,167 conducted in May 2025, according to FBI statistics. March was the year‑to‑date peak at 79,846 checks, compared with 47,069 in March 2025; April saw 72,011 checks versus 40,343 the prior year.
A total of 347,167 background checks had been logged through the end of May this year, putting Virginia on pace to surpass last year’s 521,283 checks for the full year if the trend continues.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the bill into law last month.
Retailers Report Quick Sell‑Through
Retailers across the state report brisk demand and rapid sell‑through of AR‑15 platform firearms and components. James Sprouse, a manager at Ginger Mafia Tactical, told WDBJ‑TV:
“For the last, I’d say, three months, we’ve been running hard. The second we get them in, they’re out the door.”
Trey Boyd, co‑owner of Tactical Operations Vault, said components used to assemble AR‑15‑style rifles are selling out regularly: “Usually every rack is completely full, front to back, and about every week, it’s completely wiped out.” He added that most modern firearms accept magazines above 15 rounds and said the restriction will significantly affect his business; he said he hopes the law will be overturned in court.
What The Law Does
Under the new statute, once it takes effect it will be a misdemeanor to buy, sell, transfer, or manufacture a firearm newly categorized as an "assault firearm." Sponsors say the law is designed to remove certain weapons from circulation over time without retroactively criminalizing current owners.
State Sen. Saddam Salim (D–Dunn Loring), who sponsored the measure, told FairfaxNow there are “so many assault weapons in circulation” and that the law will work gradually to reduce their presence on the streets without immediately penalizing existing owners.
After signing the bill, Gov. Spanberger said: “Firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets. We are taking this step to protect families and support the law enforcement officers who work every day to keep our communities safe.”
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