The Justice Department sued Virginia over its new assault weapons ban, arguing the law violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding residents.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Department of Justice sued Virginia on Wednesday over the state’s recently approved assault weapons ban, arguing that the law unlawfully restricts the purchase and sale of commonly owned semiautomatic rifles.
The lawsuit targets SB749, a Virginia law restricting AR-15-style rifles and similar firearms. The Justice Department argues the measure violates the Second Amendment by barring law-abiding residents from acquiring firearms it says are constitutionally protected.
Virginia is among a limited number of states that have adopted restrictions on AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles.
“In summary, SB749 infringes the right of law-abiding Virginians to purchase and sell AR-15 style rifles and therefore violates the Second Amendment,” the lawsuit reads. “Thus, Defendants have acted and will continue to act in blatant disregard of the constitutional rights of the citizens of Virginia.”
The filing came one day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to AR-15 bans in Connecticut and Illinois, setting up a major Second Amendment dispute over whether state and local governments may prohibit commonly owned semiautomatic rifles.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit places Virginia’s law directly in the broader national fight over firearm restrictions and the constitutional status of AR-15-style rifles.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon previewed the administration’s position in May during an appearance on “Just the News, No Noise,” saying she expected the Supreme Court to ultimately hold that AR-15s are protected under the Constitution.
“We intend to make sure they do that,” Dhillon said at the time.
The Virginia case now adds another front to the legal battle over assault weapons bans as the Supreme Court prepares to consider similar restrictions in its next term.
Original article
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