Blue State Governor Suffers Legal Defeat Over Gun Background Checks

A Virginia judge reaffirmed an injunction blocking the state’s “universal background check” law Wednesday, days after pro-Second Amendment groups sought to hold state officials in contempt when they started enforcing the measure.

Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed HB 1525 into law on April 22 after the General Assembly concurred with her amendments that added an emergency provision directing the Virginia State Police (VSP) to enforce the law blocked by a permanent injunction issued in October 2025. Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave provided an update Wednesday about the organization’s request for a contempt citation.

“Major breaking news! VCDL, GOA, the Constitution, and Virginia gun-owners had a huge victory in court today!” Van Cleave posted. “A judge has kept the permanent injunction against Universal Background Checks in place! R.I.P Universal Background Checks!”

Van Cleave later added that the judge declined to hold any of the Virginia officials in contempt.

“The General Assembly, the Governor, Defendant and now the Attorney General all believe they are free to enforce Section 18.2-308.2:5 irrespective of this Court’s permanent injunction, simply because