Fairfax Senator Saddam Azlan Salim Introduces Gun Ban Bill

State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim has introduced the senate version of the bill to ban so-called "assault weapons" in Virginia.  SB749 is different from the House bill (HB217) because SB749 also mentions possession and appears to say that possession of an assault firearm would be a Class 1 misdemeanor.  It is not exactly clear if this actually bans possession of the firearms, or only those manufactured after July 1, 2026.  Here are the relevant sections of the bill:

 § 18.2-287.4:1. Importation, sale, possession, etc., of assault firearms prohibited; penalty. 

A. As used in this section, an "assault firearm" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-308.2:2.
B. Any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any government officer, agent, or employee, or member of the Armed Forces of the United States, to the extent that such person is otherwise authorized to acquire or possess an assault firearm and does so while acting within the scope of his duties; (ii) the manufacture of an assault firearm by a firearms manufacturer for the purpose of sale to any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or to a law-enforcement agency in the Commonwealth for use by that agency or its employees, provided that the manufacturer is properly licensed under federal, state, and local laws; (iii) the sale or transfer of an assault firearm by a licensed dealer to any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or to a law-enforcement agency in the Commonwealth for use by that agency or its employees; or (iv) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is in the performance of lawful military training or such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.

§ 18.2-287.4:2. Importation, sale, possession, etc., of assault firearms prohibited by persons younger than 21 years of age; penalty.
A. As used in this section, an "assault firearm" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 except that it includes such firearms manufactured before July 1, 2026.
B. Any person younger than 21 years of age who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, possesses, transports, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any government officer, agent, or employee, or member of the Armed Forces of the United States, to the extent that such person is otherwise authorized to acquire or possess an assault firearm and does so while acting within the scope of his duties; (ii) the manufacture of an assault firearm by a firearms manufacturer for the purpose of sale to any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or to a law-enforcement agency in the Commonwealth for use by that agency or its employees, provided that the manufacturer is properly licensed under federal, state, and local laws; (iii) the sale or transfer of an assault firearm by a licensed dealer to any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or to a law-enforcement agency in the Commonwealth for use by that agency or its employees; or (iv) any member of a cadet corps who is recognized by a public institution of higher education while such member is in the performance of lawful military training or such member is participating in an official ceremonial event for the Commonwealth.

Then, on line 324 on page 6 of the bill, there is this:

An "assault firearm" does not include any firearm that is an antique firearm, has been rendered permanently inoperable, is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, or was manufactured before July 1, 2026.

So, it appears only the possession of rifles bought/manufactured after July 1, 2026 are banned.  We will see what actually comes out during the legislative process because it is possible the House bill will be conformed to the Senate bill when it gets to the Senate and the Senate bill will be conformed the the House passed bill when the Senate bill gets to the House and they both end up in conference to determine the final outcome.