Virginia: Despite Injunction, Virginia State Police to Conduct Background Checks for Private Sales

On May 27th, Virginia-based gun rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) was informed by the Virginia Attorney General’s office that the Virginia State Police (VSP) would resume conducting background checks on private firearm sales in the Commonwealth. In October, Virginia law enforcement was enjoined from enforcing the statute requiring background checks on these sales by the Lynchburg Circuit Court, following a case brought by VCDL. 

Further, the VSP firearm transaction website has been recently updated to state: “Private Sale background checks are now available.” After the October injunction, the website had made clear that the private firearm sale background checks were not available or required.

Those involved in the case have stated that they intend to file a motion for contempt. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones had filed to dissolve the October injunction on May 4.

This comes weeks after Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB 1525 - an unconstitutional bill to which she added an emergency clause requiring an immediate effective date (as opposed to the normal July 1 date)  and a section demanding the VSP enforce the enjoined background checks. The bill also created sweeping new age restrictions for common firearms.

Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for updates.