Washington, DC – The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State Police, challenging a newly enacted state law that prohibits the commercial purchase and sale of AR-15-style rifles.

The federal lawsuit alleges the law violates the Second Amendment by banning firearms that are commonly owned by millions of Americans. The case was filed by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“The Constitution is not a suggestion, and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in announcing the lawsuit. “This Justice Department has done more to protect the Second Amendment than any administration in our nation’s history, and we will continue to do so whenever necessary.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the legal challenge follows an earlier warning issued to Virginia officials before the legislation became law.

“On April 10, I promised Governor Spanberger that we would sue Virginia if she signed this unconstitutional weapons ban into law. I keep my promises,” Dhillon said. “Law-abiding Americans should not have to live under threat of criminal sanction for simply exercising their Second Amendment right to possess arms owned by millions of their fellow citizens.”

According to the complaint, Virginia’s law makes the commercial purchase of AR-15-style rifles a criminal offense. The Justice Department argues the firearms are among the most commonly owned rifles in the United States and are protected under the Second Amendment.

Federal attorneys also contend that enforcement of the law by the Commonwealth and the Virginia State Police constitutes a pattern or practice that deprives Virginia residents of their constitutional right to buy and sell protected firearms.

The lawsuit was filed by the Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section, which enforces federal protections involving the right to keep and bear arms. The Justice Department said individuals who believe their Second Amendment rights have been violated may submit complaints through the department’s website.

Key Points

• The Justice Department sued Virginia over its new law banning commercial sales of AR-15-style rifles.
• Federal officials argue the law violates the Second Amendment by restricting firearms commonly owned by Americans.
• The lawsuit names the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia State Police as defendants.