Justice Department Sues Virginia, California Over Gun Laws

The U.S. Justice Department has filed lawsuits against Virginia and California, challenging state laws that restrict the sale of certain firearms. The department alleges these state-level restrictions are unconstitutional and infringe upon Second Amendment rights.

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the Constitution is not a suggestion

In Virginia, the lawsuit targets a law banning the sale of automatic weapons, which the DOJ argues unconstitutionally prohibits the purchase and sale of ordinary semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15, owned by millions of Americans. The department stated that Virginia's enforcement of this ban constitutes a pattern of conduct that deprives citizens of their constitutional right to buy and sell arms.

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the Second Amendment is a sacred right belonging to all Americans

California faces a lawsuit over a new law that restricts the sale of firearms with triggers that could be modified into a "machinegun-convertible pistol." The DOJ is also seeking to halt California's "Glock ban" and prevent enforcement of the state's "Handgun Roster," which limits the types of firearms legally available for purchase. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that "the Constitution is not a suggestion" and the Second Amendment is a "sacred right belonging to all Americans."

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unconstitutionally bans the purchase and sale of ordinary semi-automatic rifles owned by millions of Americans.

These legal challenges arrive shortly after the Supreme Court announced it would review a case concerning the Second Amendment's guarantee of the right to own AR-15-style rifles during its upcoming term. The court has recently issued rulings impacting gun rights, including striking down a Hawaii law restricting guns on private property and siding with a Texas man challenging a federal ban on firearm possession for certain drug users.

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The AR-15 rifle is the most popular rifle in America.