Gun Law Updates: Virginia, SCOTUS & ATF Changes
Virginia’s private-sale background check system remains offline following a June 3 court ruling, while the Supreme Court is expected to issue two major Second Amendment decisions before the end of June 2026. Gun owners in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Colorado also face significant new state laws taking effect within the next 60 days.
Today’s Headlines
- Virginia Private-Sale Background Checks Still Halted: Lynchburg Circuit Judge Patrick Yeatts on June 3 declined to dissolve an existing injunction blocking private-sale background checks, finding that HB 1525 — which raised the handgun purchase age to 21 — violates Virginia’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms. A follow-up hearing is scheduled before June 30. Source: wsls.com
- SCOTUS Decisions Imminent in Wolford v. Lopez and U.S. v. Hemani: The Supreme Court is expected to rule by end of June on whether states may ban carry on private property open to the public without owner permission (Wolford), and whether the federal prohibition on firearm possession by unlawful drug users is constitutional (Hemani). Both decisions will directly shape how lower courts apply Bruen. Source: ammoland.com
- Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Takes Effect July 1: Governor Spanberger signed legislation banning assault firearms and magazines over 15 rounds; the law takes effect July 1, 2026. Legal challenges are anticipated. Source: thetrace.org
- Rhode Island and Colorado Assault Weapons Restrictions Coming: Rhode Island’s assault weapons ban takes effect July 1, 2026. Colorado’s SB25-003, banning sale or transfer of specified semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines, takes effect August 1, 2026. Source: leg.colorado.gov
- ATF Form 4473 Revision Proposed — Comment Period Open: ATF posted a proposed revision to Form 4473 (the standard firearms transaction record used at every FFL transfer) on May 8, 2026. The comment period is currently open. Source: atf.gov
What This Means for Gun Owners
Private-sale transfers in Virginia currently require no background check, but that status remains subject to change pending the June hearing. Gun owners and dealers in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Colorado should review inventory and transfer practices ahead of the July 1 and August 1 effective dates. The pending SCOTUS rulings in Wolford and Hemani may affect carry rights and the drug-user prohibition nationwide — watch for those decisions before July.
Key Dates to Watch
- By June 30, 2026: SCOTUS expected to decide Wolford v. Lopez and U.S. v. Hemani
- By June 30, 2026: Virginia court hearing on private-sale background check injunction; ATF “unlawful drug user” NPRM comment deadline
- July 1, 2026: Virginia assault weapons/magazine ban and Rhode Island AWB take effect
- August 1, 2026: Colorado SB25-003 semiautomatic firearm transfer restriction takes effect
Sources
- wsls.com — Lynchburg Loophole Injunction Update
- ammoland.com — SCOTUS Wolford & Hemani Preview
- thetrace.org — Virginia Gun Reform Package
- leg.colorado.gov — Colorado SB25-003
- atf.gov — Form 4473 Proposed Revision
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