Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is reportedly “<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5881257-virginia-gov-blasts-supreme-court-redistricting/">fuming</a>” this week after the state failed to get a single justice on the Supreme Court to support her after she violated the state constitution in her attempted gerrymandering of the state. However, Spanberger may have just guaranteed another trip to the Supreme Court when she said the quiet part out loud about the new state gun ban.
After the Democrats took power recently, they went on a frenzy of tax and liberal legislative measures. The sharp move to the far left is out of sync with a purple state that remains roughly evenly divided. While Spanberger (who ran on being a moderate) has pushed forward many of these measures, she sought to moderate one bill banning so-called “assault firearms.”
Spanberger released the following statement:
<blockquote>
I am signing this bill into law because 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. While the General Assembly chose not to adopt my amendment that specifically carves out certain firearms frequently used for hunting, I will work with the patrons to clarify this language. [Emphasis added]
</blockquote>
The governor’s acknowledgment that the law covers common hunting models will likely be cited in Second Amendment challenges. If the law is not amended, she could prove the main witness against her own signed legislation.
Even with such an amendment, the bill is problematic. I have previously written about my skepticism over bans on AR-15s and other so-called “assault weapons,” though <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2023/11/04/the-seventh-circuit-rules-for-illinois-ar-15-assault-ban/">some courts have upheld such bans</a>.
We have a Second Amendment protection of gun ownership, with over 490 million guns in private hands, as of 2022. In 2008, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling in <a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/2007/07-290">District of Columbia v. Heller</a>, recognizing the Second Amendment as encompassing an individual right to bear arms. The Supreme Court further strengthened the right in New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen.
The AR-15 is the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/america-s-rifle-why-so-many-people-love-ar-15-n831171">most popular gun in America</a> and the number of these guns in private hands is continuing to rise rapidly, with <a href="http://www.nysrpa.org/files/SAFE/NSSF-amicus2.pdf">one AR-15 purchased in every five new firearms sales</a>. There are an estimated 32 million currently in private hands in the United States, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
AR-15s are purchased for home protection as well as target shooting and hunting. Many gun <a href="https://www.wired.com/2013/02/ar-15/">owners like the AR-15 because it is modular</a>; depending on the model, you can swap out barrels, bolts, and high-capacity magazines, or add a variety of accessories. While it does more damage than a typical handgun, it is not the most powerful gun sold in terms of caliber; <a href="https://www.nssf.org/msr/#:~:text=AR%2D15%2Dstyle%20rifles%20are%20no%20more%20powerful%20than%20other,30%2D06%20Springfield%20and%20.">many guns have equal or greater caliber</a>.
Not only are they commonly used for hunting, but they remain statistically uncommon choices in homicides. Rifles are used in only about 3% of such cases, <a href="https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/05/15/virginia-governor-admits-she-just-banned-guns-frequently-used-for-hunting-n1232550">according to experts</a>.
Again, lower courts are divided on both the bans on semiautomatic weapons and the magazine bans. Eventually, the Supreme Court will have to resolve the question. If the Virginia law remains unchanged, Spanberger may find that her signing statement will feature greatly in the appeal.
***
This is republished with permission from the author. The original can be found at <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2026/05/17/locked-and-loaded-spanberger-inadvertently-makes-case-for-striking-down-new-gun-ban/">JonathanTurley.org</a>.
Professor Jonathan Turley is a nationally recognized legal scholar who has written extensively in areas ranging from constitutional law to legal theory to tort law. He is a New York Times best-selling author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668047047?tag=simonsayscom">The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCDSN1KR/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RRwQP-jxib6FGPIATmKf_-qZ54EqdtHH96MILgFFNEu2d_chUIjFQbBNWZj6-YWIsRTxEeuGYCTw-gDvcdUE1puVoYeX2uBJyqcXA64EqxaA3kXW04dbyRE6t7mOEnrcSOf8BIA7KP47sQttP-6j4qWXwt_gUgP9AJ6jJ1HWnqU62QYxnVkcOQhwCaeyp8o8.-FQ90bYCtRhnfQk9vLhvb1kV2q0kmzaKPZqwWwUateA&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;qid=1749518291&amp;refinements=p_27%3AJonathan+Turley&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-5">Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution</a>. 

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Spanberger Shoots Herself In The Foot Over Proposed State Gun Ban

Supreme Court To Rule Whether Schools Can Ban ‘Let’s Go Brandon’

DW Opinion

abigail spanberger

Gun Rights

Second Amendment

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— DW Opinion —

Spanberger Shoots Herself In The Foot Over Proposed State Gun Ban