Judge denies attempt to block Virginia’s new one-handgun-a-month sales law

Ban takes effect on July 1

Gov. Northam signs new gun control measures into law

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia’s new handgun sales law will be going into effect as planned.

On Thursday, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced that a judge has denied the gun lobby’s attempt to block the one-handgun-a-month law.

Recommended Videos



The Virginia Citizens Defense League, Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation are among plaintiffs in the lawsuit that was filed.

Herring called it, “a huge win for public safety,” in a tweet and continued, saying, “Proud we could successfully defend this commonsense law to reduce gun trafficking and keep Virginians safe.”

The General Assembly passed the bill, along with other gun control measures, in April and Gov. Ralph Northam promptly signed it into law.

“I am really pleased that the judge agreed with me today and rejected the gun lobby’s attempt to block the one-handgun-a-month law. Currently, Virginia is one of the easiest states in the country for gun traffickers to purchase large numbers of firearms to resell on the street, and we can’t allow that to continue,” said Herring. “Virginia had a one-handgun-a-month law in effect for nearly twenty years that was extremely successful in keeping firearms out of our communities and out of the hands of dangerous individuals. 

“Virginians sent a clear message last November that they were ready for gun reform in the Commonwealth and the General Assembly delivered. Too many Virginians have lost their lives at the end of a gun and we cannot allow this status quo to continue. As Attorney General, my top priority is keeping Virginians, their families and their communities safe, which is why I am prepared to use every tool at my disposal to make sure that all of Virginia’s new gun violence prevention measures go into effect,” said Herring.