Virginia Democrats Advance Sweeping Gun Ban as West Virginia Weighs Machine Gun Access

The dueling legislative efforts highlight the stark divide in gun policy across the old Virginia border.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:28pm

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Virginia Democrats have sent a sweeping gun control package to Governor Abigail Spanberger's desk, while West Virginia lawmakers are debating a proposal that would allow residents to lawfully obtain machine guns. The contrasting approaches underscore the diverging political paths of the two states, with Democrats in Richmond pushing new firearm restrictions and Republicans in Charleston exploring expanded Second Amendment rights.

Why it matters

The dueling gun legislation in Virginia and West Virginia reflects the deep partisan divide over firearms policy in the U.S. The outcome of these bills will have significant implications for gun rights and public safety in the two states, and could set precedents that influence debates in other parts of the country.

The details

The Virginia bill, introduced by Democratic state Senator Saddam Salim, would ban a wide range of firearms and features, including semi-automatic center-fire pistols with magazines exceeding 15 rounds, rifles with detachable magazines, and weapons with certain characteristics like collapsible or thumbhole stocks and threaded barrels. Meanwhile, the West Virginia proposal from Republican state Senators Chris Rose and Zachary Maynard would permit the transfer of machine guns to residents, citing the Second Amendment's language and the Heller decision.

  • The Virginia gun control package was sent to Governor Spanberger's desk in March 2026.
  • The West Virginia machine gun access bill advanced through the Judiciary Committee but was not taken up by the full Senate before the legislative session ended.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia who will review the sweeping firearms ban passed by the state legislature.

Saddam Salim

A Democratic state senator in Virginia who introduced the bill to ban a wide range of firearms and features.

Chris Rose

A Republican state senator in West Virginia who drafted the bill to permit the transfer of machine guns to residents.

Zachary Maynard

A Republican state senator in West Virginia who co-authored the bill to expand access to machine guns.

Randy Smith

The Republican president of the West Virginia Senate who decided the full chamber would not take up the machine gun access bill, citing potential legal challenges.

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What they’re saying

“The governor is grateful for the efforts of legislators and advocates to address gun violence in Virginia communities, and she looks forward to reviewing all legislation that comes to her desk.”

— Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger (ABC affiliate in Richmond)

“I have long been clear that I am a Second Amendment absolutist, and I believe the Constitution means exactly what it says when it states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

— Chris Rose, Republican state senator, West Virginia (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The West Virginia machine gun access bill is expected to be revived and pushed for again in the next legislative session, with advocates working to build a stronger coalition and address timing issues that prevented it from being taken up this year.

The takeaway

The stark contrast between the gun control measures advancing in Virginia and the efforts to expand gun rights in West Virginia underscores the deep partisan divide over firearms policy in the U.S. The outcomes of these bills will have significant implications for the two states and could influence debates in other parts of the country.