The Virginia General Assembly reached its crucial crossover deadline on February 4, marking the last opportunity for bills to pass out of their chamber of origin before being declared dead for the current legislative session. Unfortunately for gun owners, more than 20 anti-gun measures survived the cutoff and are now in play as the General Assembly continues its debate over these controversial proposals.
Make no mistake—Virginia Democrats are on a mission to chip away at your Second Amendment rights. They are determined to see some of these anti-gun bills signed into law in 2025, and unless Virginia’s gun owners push back hard, these legislative attacks on personal freedom could soon become the law of the land.
Here’s a closer look at the most dangerous bills still alive in the Virginia General Assembly—and why they should concern every law-abiding citizen.
Restricting Gun Ownership by Age
A pair of Senate bills under consideration in the House aim to restrict gun ownership based on age, setting a troubling precedent for who can exercise their constitutional rights.
-
Senate Bill 744: This measure would prevent individuals under 21 from receiving a firearm if they are subject to a protective order or have been convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member.
-
Senate Bill 848: Perhaps even more concerning, this bill would outright ban adults between 18 and 21 from purchasing certain semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns. If you’re old enough to serve in the military and carry a rifle in defense of the country, shouldn’t you also be allowed to purchase a firearm for your own personal protection? Evidently, Virginia Democrats disagree.
Expanding Gun-Free Zones
Gun-free zones have long been criticized as soft targets for criminals. Yet, despite the evidence that these zones do little to enhance safety, Senate Bill 880 seeks to expand them even further. Under this bill, it would be illegal to carry a rifle or shotgun on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and virtually any other public space.
This bill doesn’t make anyone safer—it simply makes it harder for responsible citizens to exercise their rights while doing everyday activities. Worse still, it turns otherwise law-abiding Virginians into criminals for carrying firearms in public spaces.
Criminalizing Home-Built Firearms
For centuries, Americans have had the right to build their own firearms for personal use without government interference. But Senate Bill 881 aims to end that tradition. This bill would prohibit the manufacture of firearms without serial numbers, effectively banning the long-standing practice of building lawful firearms at home.
It’s a solution in search of a problem. Criminals aren’t waiting around with kits to build firearms at home—they’re getting them illegally through other means. This bill does nothing to stop crime, but it does infringe on personal freedom.
Waiting Periods That Don’t Work
Senate Bill 891 would impose a five-day waiting period on all gun purchases, even after the purchaser has passed a background check. Proponents of waiting periods argue they reduce impulsive acts like suicide and homicide, but there’s no credible evidence to support this claim.
For a law-abiding gun owner, a waiting period is nothing more than an unnecessary and insulting delay. How many times do we have to remind lawmakers that criminals don’t follow waiting periods? They don’t bother with background checks in the first place.
Assault Weapons Ban & Other Dangerous House Bills
If you thought the Senate bills were bad, just wait until you see what’s coming from the House. The most egregious proposal is House Bill 1607, which would impose an outright ban on so-called “assault weapons” manufactured after July 1, 2025. This sweeping legislation would target a wide range of semi-automatic firearms, including rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
For those who might not be familiar with the term, “assault weapon” is a political invention, not a technical one. Lawmakers use the term to demonize common firearms based on cosmetic features rather than actual function. The truth is, these firearms are no different from others used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense—they just happen to look “scary” to those who don’t understand them.
Then there’s House Bill 1622, which threatens to unravel the protections granted to gun manufacturers under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This bill would open the door to frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and dealers, driving up costs for consumers and making it harder for law-abiding citizens to purchase firearms.
House Bill 1660 is another nightmare. It seeks to redefine the term “trigger activator” so broadly that virtually any firearm accessory could be caught under its umbrella. Upgraded triggers, common modifications for competitive shooters, and even certain tools could suddenly become illegal. This kind of vague and overly broad language is a gift to overzealous prosecutors looking to make an example of gun owners.
Finally, House Bill 1797 could have serious implications for concealed carry permit holders. As the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) points out, this bill could jeopardize the ability of Virginians with concealed carry permits to carry their firearms legally in other states.
The Bottom Line: Fight Back or Get Steamrolled
These bills aren’t about public safety—they’re about control. They target responsible gun owners while doing little to prevent actual crime. Worse still, they set a dangerous precedent for other states to follow.
If you live in Virginia and care about your rights, now is the time to act. Contact your representatives. Let them know you won’t stand for these attacks on the Second Amendment. Get involved with pro-gun organizations that are fighting to protect your rights.
Because if we sit back and do nothing, these anti-gun activists will win. And once they strip away our rights in Virginia, they’ll move on to the next state, and the next, until there’s nothing left.
The fight is here. The fight is now. It’s time to stand up and defend our freedoms before they’re gone for good.
