Judge halts enforcement of Virginia’s assault weapons ban statewide Nori Leybengrub The Virginian-Pilot Jul 8, 2026 Jul 8, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A Washington County judge issued an order Tuesday night that halts enforcement of Virginia’s ban on assault weapons ban statewide.kAm%96 @C56C 8@6D 36J@?5 E96 D4@A6 @7 E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]4@FCE9@FD6?6HD]4@>^HA\4@?E6?E^FA=@25D^a_ae^_d^D2?E@==2\G\<2EK]A57Qm4@>A=2:?E 7:=65k^2m @? 3692=7 @7 8F? @H?6CD 2?5 8F? D9@A @H?6CD 282:?DE E96 ':C8:?:2 $E2E6 !@=:46 DFA6C:?E6?56?E 2?5 2 A2E49H@C< @7 r@>>@?H62=E9’D pEE@C?6JD 24C@DD ':C8:?:2 — :?4=F5:?8 (2D9:?8E@? r@F?EJ[ r96DE6C7:6=5 r@F?EJ[ *@C< r@F?EJ[ uC656C:4< r@F?EJ[ v:=6D r@F?EJ 2?5 r96D2A62<6]k^AmkAmyF586 y677C6J r2>A36== 8C2?E65 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]4@FCE9@FD6?6HD]4@>^HA\4@?E6?E^FA=@25D^a_ae^_e^D2?E@==2\G\<2EK\CF=:?8]A57QmAC6=:>:?2CJ :?;F?4E:@?k^2m 282:?DE 6?7@C4:?8 E96 2DD2F=E H62A@?D 32? E92E 2AA=:65 E@ E96 D:I =@42=:E:6D @? yF?6 ah]k^Am People are also reading… Smith Mountain Lake businesses feel the impact of low lake levels Roanoke police investigating kennel, urge owners to remove dogs 18-year-old Rocky Mount woman arrested after fatal stabbing High heat, low lake levels made for a quiet Fourth at Smith Mountain Lake Danny Rocco helping read the pulse of Virginia Tech football Former assistant principal takes lead role at Franklin County High School No-wake zones around Independence Day fireworks at Smith Mountain Lake Emmy snubs! Jeremy Allen White, 'Stranger Things' missed by 2026 noms Pirate Days returns next weekend at a new location amid drought 'Heat distress' spurred investigation into City Dogs kennel by Roanoke police Orange County announces Independence Day facility closures Bird-themed celebration this month at Smith Mountain Lake State Park After impersonating police to confront Rocky Mount mayor, man gets jail time Miss Virginia's Teen winner, from Rocky Mount, proud to represent community Virginia’s new liquor law reshapes rules for Richmond bar-restaurants kAmw6 4@?4=F565 E92E E96 A=2:?E:77D 92G6 2 8@@5 6?@F89 42D6 E92E E96 32? :?7C:?86D @? E96:C r@?DE:EFE:@?2= C:89ED 2?5 CF=65 92=E:?8 E96 6?7@C46>6?E @7 E96 32? F?E:= E96 4@FCE 564:56D H96E96C @C ?@E E96 32? 42? =2H7F==J AC@4665]k^AmkAmqFE r2>A36==’D >@DE C646?E CF=:?8 6IA2?5D :E DE2E6H:56[ AC@9:3:E:?8 2== =2H 6?7@C46>6?E :? ':C8:?:2 7C@> 6?7@C4:?8 E96 2DD2F=E H62A@?D 32?]k^AmkAmr2>A36== HC:E6D :? 9:D @A:?:@? E92E :E :D “EC25:E:@?2==J 5:D72G@C65” E@ 6?7@C46 :?;F?4E:@?D 282:?DE A2CE:6D E92E 2C6?’E ?2>65 :? 2 4@>A=2:?E 3642FD6 E96J 2C6?’E :?G@=G65 :? E96 =:E:82E:@?]k^Am kAmqFE 96 HC@E6 E92E E96 @C:8:?2= CF=:?8[ 2AA=J:?8 @?=J E@ 2 92=7 5@K6? @7 ':C8:?:2’D `a_ =@42=:E:6D[ H@F=5 ?@E DF77:4:6?E=J AC@E64E E96 A=2:?E:77D]k^Am kAmp A=2:?E:77 42? 7C66=J EC2?DA@CE 2? p#\`d :?D:56 (2D9:?8E@? r@F?EJ[ H96C6 E96 32?’D 6?7@C46>6?E :D 6?;@:?65[ E96 ;F586 HC@E6[ 3FE :7 E96J H6C6 E@ 4C@DD :?E@ vC2JD@? r@F?EJ E96J H@F=5 36 G:@=2E:?8 E96 =2H]k^AmkAm%96 32?[ 67764E:G6 yF=J `[ AC@9:3:ED E96 AFC492D6[ >2?F724EFC6 @C EC2?DA@CE @7 4@>>@?=J FD65 D6>:\2FE@>2E:4 7:C62C>D 2?5 2>>F?:E:@? >282K:?6D E92E 9@=5 >@C6 E92? 7:7E66? C@F?5D] x7 7@F?5 G:@=2E:?8 E96 =2H[ 2 A6CD@? 42? 36 492C865 H:E9 2 r=2DD x >:D56>62?@C[ 42CCJ:?8 FA E@ `a >@?E9D :? AC:D@? 2?5^@C 2 Sa[d__ 7:?6]k^Am kAm%96 32? 5@6D?’E 2AA=J E@ A6@A=6 H9@ 2=C625J @H? 7:C62C>D 567:?65 :? E96 32? 2D 2DD2F=E H62A@?D]k^Am kAmr2>A36==’D CF=:?8 @? %F6D52J H:== ?@E 8@ :?E@ 67764E F?E:= yF=J a`[ E@ 2==@H 7@C 9:D 4=6C<D E@ ?@E:7J =2H 6?7@C46>6?E 286?4:6D[ :?4=F5:?8 E@A AC@D64FE@CD[ 24C@DD E96 DE2E6 @7 E96 :?;F?4E:@?]k^Am 0 comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular Smith Mountain Lake businesses feel the impact of low lake levels With Smith Mountain Lake currently more than five feet below normal, local businesses have spent much of the summer reassuring visitors. Roanoke police investigating kennel, urge owners to remove dogs Police have not said why they are investigating City Dogs Boarding and Playcare. 18-year-old Rocky Mount woman arrested after fatal stabbing A Rocky Mount woman was arrested in connection to a homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning. High heat, low lake levels made for a quiet Fourth at Smith Mountain Lake What is usually one of the busiest weekends of the summer for lake officials was ultimately uneventful. Danny Rocco helping read the pulse of Virginia Tech football Rocco, after three seasons leading the VMI football program, is entering his first season with the Hokies as the senior defensive analyst for offense.
Smith Mountain Lake businesses feel the impact of low lake levels With Smith Mountain Lake currently more than five feet below normal, local businesses have spent much of the summer reassuring visitors.
Roanoke police investigating kennel, urge owners to remove dogs Police have not said why they are investigating City Dogs Boarding and Playcare.
18-year-old Rocky Mount woman arrested after fatal stabbing A Rocky Mount woman was arrested in connection to a homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning.
High heat, low lake levels made for a quiet Fourth at Smith Mountain Lake What is usually one of the busiest weekends of the summer for lake officials was ultimately uneventful.
Danny Rocco helping read the pulse of Virginia Tech football Rocco, after three seasons leading the VMI football program, is entering his first season with the Hokies as the senior defensive analyst for offense.
