Virginia Compliance Alert: "Assault Firearm" and "Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device"
Prohibitions Effective July 1

The NSSF^® is sending this compliance alert to advise members of new restrictions on the manufacture, sale, and transfer of certain firearms and magazines within Virginia, which are expected to take effect on July 1, 2026.

These restrictions, adopted with the passage of SB749/HB217, will prohibit (with certain exceptions) the import, sale, manufacture, purchase, or transfer of an “assault firearm,” as well as the import, sale, barter, transfer, or purchase of a “large capacity ammunition feeding device.”

NSSF is currently funding a lawsuit challenging these unconstitutional prohibitions on the sale of arms in common use for self-defense and other lawful activities, brought by various Virginia residents, retailers, and manufacturers, Black v. Hook. At this time, however, NSSF does not believe that a preliminary injunction against enforcement of these new laws will be obtained before their effective date.

Accordingly, NSSF is advising its members to review their business and sales practices to ensure compliance with these new restrictions by July 1.

NSSF will continue to seek preliminary and permanent relief from these laws as possible and appropriate under the law, and inform members of relevant compliance updates as soon as possible.

Relevant Definitions

SB749/HB217 define a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” as a “magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 15 rounds of ammunition.” Excluded from this definition are tubular magazines for .22 rimfire ammunition.

The “assault firearms” definition includes rifles, pistols, and shotguns with certain features:

• Semiautomatic, centerfire rifles:
  • With a fixed magazine with a capacity greater than 15 rounds; or
  • With the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and at least one of the following features:
• A folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock;
• A thumbhole stock or pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the rifle;
  • A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
  • A grenade launcher;
  • A threaded barrel capable of accepting a muzzle brake, muzzle compensator, sound suppressor, or flash suppressor.
• Semiautomatic, centerfire pistols with two or more of the following features:
  • A second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
  • The capacity to accept a magazine that attaches outside of the pistol grip;
  • A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and permits the shooter to hold the pistol with the non-trigger hand without being burned;
  • A threaded barrel capable of accepting a sound suppressor, flash suppressor, barrel extender, or forward handgrip; or
  • A buffer tube, arm brace, or other part that protrudes horizontally behind the pistol grip and is designed or redesigned to allow or facilitate the firing of a firearm from the shoulder.
• Semiautomatic shotguns with one or more of the following features:
  • A folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock;
  • A thumbhole stock or pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the shotgun;
  • The ability to accept a detachable magazine;
  • A fixed magazine capacity greater than 15 rounds; or
  • “Any characteristic of like kind” as those listed above.
• Shotguns with a revolving cylinder.
• Firearms with the capacity to accept belt-fed ammunition.

NSSF members are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney regarding any questions they might have about the application of these new restrictions to their operations.