Virginia gun background checks surge ahead of ban

Background checks typically associated with gun sales surged in Virginia during the month of May as the state’s new ban on certain semi-automatic weapons neared, according to industry data. The National Shooting Sports Foundation logged 74,959 checks on gun transfers conducted in Virginia through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, a 103% from May 2025, according to Bearing Arms.

The ban, which takes effect July 1, prohibits the sale, purchase, manufacture, or transfer of many commonly-owned semiautomatic firearms including AR-15s, which the legislation refers to as “assault firearms.” Ammunition magazines holding over 15 rounds also fall under the ban. But the law allows existing owners to keep their firearms, leading to the rush for background checks and new purchases.

Virginia in May was among the top five states or commonwealths in the nation for FBI checks for long guns, according to The Outdoor Wire. The commonwealth, often referred to as the Old Dominion state, was also second in the nation for NFA checks, which are required for some firearms such as suppressed AR-15s.

What did Virginia authorities say about the ban? Gov. Abigail Spanberger said the legislation, which punishes violators with up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, would take firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties off the streets. She hoped to clarify language carving out exceptions for some common hunting firearms, but the Virginia legislature did not adopt those changes, she said.

The National Rifle Association and other groups have filed several Second Amendment lawsuits to block enforcement of the ban.

Dig deeper: Read my report on a federal raid of the Virginia Senate president’s office.