A newly passed gun control measure in Virginia is drawing scrutiny after the Democratic lawmaker behind the bill justified the legislation by referencing mass shootings that were carried out with handguns rather than the rifles the law targets.
Virginia State Sen. Saddam Salim (D) sponsored Senate Bill 749, a sweeping “assault weapons” ban aimed primarily at AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles. The legislation passed through the Democrat-controlled legislature on March 9, 2026.
But critics say the reasoning Salim used to promote the measure raises serious questions.
According to Reason magazine’s Jacob Sullum, Salim pointed to the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre as one of the key motivations behind introducing the legislation. That attack remains the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.
However, the perpetrator in the Virginia Tech shooting did not use a rifle. He carried out the attack using two handguns.
Salim also referenced another high-profile tragedy when discussing the need for the ban. In an article published in the Falls Church News Press when he first introduced the legislation, Salim cited the May 31, 2019 Virginia Beach mass shooting.
Once again, the weapon used in that attack was not an AR-15 or a similar semiautomatic rifle. The Virginia Beach shooter used a handgun.
Despite those details, the legislation targets rifles such as the AR-15, one of the most popular firearms owned by civilians in the United States.
Democratic lawmakers ultimately passed the measure after including a key provision designed to ease concerns from current gun owners.
Virginia Democrats’ Gun Ban is a TOTAL JOKE
Pro-2A patriot just exposed it at the rally:
Should Virginia's gun control legislation be repealed due to its cited justification?His massive .50 BMG rifle (way more powerful) is perfectly legal under their new “assault weapon” ban…
But his compact bullpup in a smaller caliber? Straight-up ILLEGAL.
— CONSTITUTIONAL PATRIOT
Virginia Democrats’ Gun Ban is a TOTAL JOKE
… 
(@Constitustion)
The bill contains a grandfather clause allowing Virginians who already possess the affected firearms to keep them after the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
However, the restrictions still go far beyond simply halting future sales.
Under SB 749, individuals who already own the banned firearms would be prohibited from selling them or transferring them to others. The law would also prevent residents from purchasing additional rifles that fall under the ban after the effective date.
The measure further states that possession of the firearms would only remain legal if the individual owned the weapon before July 1, 2026. Any firearm acquired after that date would be illegal under the statute.
Gun rights advocates argue that the bill focuses on a type of firearm that was not even used in the tragedies cited by its sponsor, while supporters of the legislation maintain it is part of a broader effort to reduce gun violence in the state.
The legislation now moves forward amid an ongoing national debate over gun policy, with Virginia once again becoming a key battleground in the fight over firearm restrictions and Second Amendment rights.
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