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Virginia Gun Possession Laws (2026)

Conditional: Virginia has a red-flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO) in effect, and SB 749 (2026) — the ban on selling, transferring or importing "assault firearms" — took effect on July 1, 2026 but is blocked by preliminary injunctions.

ConditionalVerified Jul 20, 2026

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Virginia has a red-flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO) in effect, and SB 749 (2026) — the ban on selling, transferring or importing "assault firearms" — took effect on July 1, 2026 but is blocked by preliminary injunctions. A Washington County Circuit Court ruling made the injunction statewide, barring all Virginia state and local law enforcement from enforcing the ban, with that order taking effect on July 21, 2026; that case is Santolla v. Katz, decided July 7, 2026. A Lancaster County injunction in Crump v. Katz also blocks it. The Attorney General is appealing and seeking a stay, with none granted as of this update. Enforcement is currently halted statewide, and possession of already-owned firearms is not restricted by SB 749.

Official source: lis.virginia.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Gun Possession in states bordering Virginia

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

District of ColumbiaRestricted
The District of Columbia has a red-flag law (Extreme Risk Protection Orders, or ERPOs), bans "assault weapons" and magazines holding more than 10 rounds, and requires all firearms to be registered.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: mpdc.dc.gov · Full District of Columbia rule →
KentuckyPermitted
Kentucky has no red-flag law (also called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO), and no assault-weapon ban or restriction on magazines.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov · Full Kentucky rule →
MarylandRestricted
Maryland has a red-flag law (Extreme Risk Protective Orders, or ERPOs), an assault-weapon ban based on a banned-firearms list, and registration for regulated firearms.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: mdsp.maryland.gov · Full Maryland rule →
North CarolinaPermitted
North Carolina has no red-flag law (also called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO), and no assault-weapon ban or state-level restriction on magazines.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: ncleg.gov · Full North Carolina rule →
TennesseePermitted
Tennessee has no red-flag law (also called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO) — a 2024 law preempts and bars local ERPO ordinances — and no assault-weapon ban or limit on magazine capacity.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →
West VirginiaPermitted
West Virginia has no red-flag law (also called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, or ERPO), and no assault-weapon ban or limit on magazine capacity.
Verified May 31, 2026 · Source: ago.wv.gov · Full West Virginia rule →

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