First Gun Ban Bill Drops

Delegate Helmer has filed the first bill to ban modern sporting rifles, also erronously referred to as "assault weapons. If this bill becomes law, law-abiding Virginians who already own an AR-15 or other semi-automatic rifles covered by the bill would not become criminals simply for possessing them. There is no blanket possession ban for current adult owners.

What HB 217 does do is:

• Ban the future sale, purchase, manufacture, importation, or transfer of defined “assault firearms” after the law takes effect.

• Grandfather current owners by omission — meaning continued possession by adults 21+ remains lawful under the introduced text.

• Impose criminal penalties only for new transactions, not past lawful ownership.

There is no pistol magazine capacity ban in this bill. It is likely other versions will be filed, but this is the first look at what Democrats will do in 2026 related to semi automatic rifles.