Virginia Democrats send gun control package to Gov. Abigail Spanberger

While Virginia Democrats are sending a comprehensive gun control package to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk, lawmakers in West Virginia are discussing the opposite approach; A proposal that would allow residents to legally acquire machine guns.

The dueling efforts show how sharply gun policy differed across the former Virginia frontier. More than 160 years after West Virginia seceded from Virginia during the Civil War, the two states are again charting very different political paths; Democrats in Richmond are advancing new firearms restrictions, while Republicans in Charleston are exploring expanding Second Amendment rights.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signaled that she looks forward to “reviewing” state Sen. Saddam Salim and Loring’s sweeping firearms ban when it reaches her desk next week.

“As a mother of three girls in Virginia public schools and a former federal law enforcement officer who carries a gun every day, Governor Spanberger knows how important it is to keep children and families safe,” Spanberger’s office said in a statement. he said. Richmond’s ABC affiliate.

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“The Governor is grateful for the efforts of lawmakers and advocates against gun violence in Virginia communities and looks forward to reviewing all legislation that comes to his desk.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger’s office to ask if Salim planned to sign the bill but did not receive a response before publication.

This pressure comes as the political landscape in the two states continues to diverge. Republicans dominate the West Virginia legislature with majorities of 31-2 and 91-9, and the Mountain State is one of only two states, along with Oklahoma, that do not have Democratic-majority districts. Meanwhile, Democrats strengthened their grip on Virginia government in 2025 and seized the governor’s mansion.

The assault weapons ban was introduced in January at the very beginning of the expansion of Democratic majority rule in Richmond. Salim he told FairfaxNow “There are so many assault weapons in circulation” and the bill would “gradually” remove them from the streets, but would fall short of retroactively criminalizing possession of a range of newly categorized “assault weapons.”

The Bangladesh-born lawmaker also questioned how schools could remain safe spaces for children without the need for active shooter drills.

His proposal would ban a wide range of firearms and features, including semi-automatic centerfire pistols with magazines exceeding 15 rounds, rifles with detachable magazines, and guns with certain features such as collapsible or thumbhole stocks and threaded barrels.

The scope of the proposed restrictions has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers.

State Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, called a meeting. mixed video Virginia Democrats describe the need for the bill and add the following caption to the clip: “Uninformed Confident Dangerous and still writing the law.”

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“Almost everything on this list is a bad firearm,” said State Sen. Bill Stanley Jr., R-Rocky Mount. “We must stop harming law-abiding citizens, especially in my district.”

During floor debate, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, said: “The only way to tell if something has a threaded barrel is to look inside it. Your assault rifle, with its telescopes, tripods, lasers and everything else…”

Stanley responded by reminding lawmakers that “millions of Virginians own firearms” and “billions of pieces of ammunition.”

“If we were the problem, you’d know it,” Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Orange, said when the discussion turned to jokes about “turkey guns” (a phrase that spread quickly in X) before saying it was “clear” Democrats were “having a hard time understanding.” [gun] naming.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Surowell for comment.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the Allegheny Front, lawmakers were debating how best to expand Mountaineers’ Second Amendment rights.

West Virginia State Sens. Chris Rose, R-Monongalia, and Zachary Maynard, R-Chapmanville, have drafted the Public Defense and Supply Act, which would allow the transfer of machine guns to residents, among other provisions.

Lawmakers cited the language of the Second Amendment and said the favorable ruling in D.C. v. Heller “clarified” “unrestricted access” under the militia clause to “resist tyranny,” among other reasons — citing Washington administration official Tench Coxe’s assertion that “Congress has no authority to disarm the militia.”

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“Therefore, it is in the public interest for the State to provide a means by which citizens can obtain machine guns.”

Rose told Fox News Digital that the bill would “address a long-standing problem in federal firearms law and reaffirm the constitutional protections afforded to West Virginians under the Second Amendment and Article III, Section 22 of the West Virginia Constitution.”

“I have long been clear that I am a Second Amendment absolutist, and I believe the Constitution means exactly what it says when it states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” Rose said Friday. Rose said, adding that the bill shows states can assert their role in protecting constitutional rights and reviewing untested federal laws.

Rose’s bill hit a roadblock as the legislative session in West Virginia drew to a close when Senate President Randy Smith, R-Blackwater Falls, decided that the full chamber would not take up the bill after it passed the Judiciary Committee, citing potential legal challenges.

“When it comes to an issue as critical as protecting our Second Amendment rights, we must ensure that the legislation we pass withstands legal challenges. That wouldn’t happen,” said Smith, who also serves as lieutenant governor.

The proposal raises questions about the federal 1986 Hughes Amendment, which bans the transfer to civilians of machine guns produced after that year. Justice Commission lawyer explained West Virginia Watch The restriction may not apply if the transfer is made through a government agency, such as the West Virginia State Police.

During the hearing, Sen. Joey Garcia also questioned whether the proposal would conflict with federal firearms laws.

Gun Owners of America reported He worked with Rose on the legislation and defended its legal basis.

With Smith’s decision and the end of the session approaching, lawmakers are expected to reconsider the proposal next year. A Republican source in the West Virginia House of Representatives told Fox News Digital that discussions about reviving the bill have already begun.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is located at the confluence of West Virginia’s Shenandoah River and Maryland’s Potomac River. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“As lobbyists and Senate advocates have said, there will be a lot of pressure in the offseason to build this coalition and make it happen.”

Smith told WVW he welcomes a new bill next year, but supporters should pay more attention to the legislative calendar to avoid last-minute problems.

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“Now, [we’re] “We’ll probably have to allow it,” a Republican source in the West Virginia Senate told Fox News Digital.

But on Friday, Charleston did this: approve a bill R-Del from Falling Waters. From Charles Horst, it provides license-free concealed carry for 18-20 year olds.