Look, I've been in the gun business long enough to know when the government decides it's above the law. This latest move by Virginia's State Police is a slap in the face to every law-abiding gun owner in the Commonwealth — and frankly, it's a danger sign for all of us.
Here's what happened: Back in 2020, Virginia pushed through universal background check mandates requiring private firearm sales to go through FFLs. Our friends at VCDL and GOA took the state to court, and last October, a Lynchburg Circuit Court judge ruled the law unconstitutional and issued a permanent injunction blocking it. That's the rule of law — case closed, right? Wrong.
Fast forward to 2026. Governor Spanberger pushed new legislation through the General Assembly and used emergency powers to bypass the normal implementation timeline. Then the Virginia State Police initially said they couldn't enforce the new law while the injunction was in place. But just recently, they changed their tune — now they're processing background checks for private sales anyway, ignoring the court's explicit order.
That's not just bureaucratic stubbornness. That's the executive branch thumbing its nose at the judicial branch. The Attorney General's office sent a letter to VCDL and GOA confirming they'd resume enforcement with zero legal justification for defying the court order. Separation of powers? Apparently that only matters when it's convenient.
What does this mean for you as a gun owner? Simple private sales between family, friends, or at gun shows now come with extra costs, delays, and hassle — all because politicians can't accept that they lost in court. None of this does anything to stop criminals who buy guns through illegal channels anyway. It's pure feel-good legislation that burdens only the law-abiding.
VCDL and GOA are heading back to court to enforce the injunction. Meanwhile, we're watching to see if Virginia becomes a state where the government simply ignores court orders it doesn't like. If they get away with this, what's next?
This is exactly why we need to stay vigilant and support organizations that fight for our rights every single day.