Virginia judge lets assault firearms restrictions take effect July 1

(The Center Square) – A Virginia judge denied a request Thursday to temporarily block the state’s new assault firearms restrictions, leaving them on track to take effect July 1 while a lawsuit challenging the law moves forward.

Spotsylvania County Circuit Judge William E. Glover denied a preliminary injunction in Curtis v. Katz, a case brought by gun rights advocates challenging the law under the Virginia Constitution.

Glover acknowledged the plaintiffs could be harmed if the law is later ruled unconstitutional, but said they did not meet the legal standard required to temporarily stop the restrictions from taking effect.

The lawsuit argues the law violates Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution by preventing citizens from owning firearms the plaintiffs say are protected under the state’s militia clause.

Glover disagreed at this stage of the case.

He wrote he is “currently persuaded that both the history and practice surrounding Sec. 13 establish no ...