Virginia Gun Shop Sees Surge in Sales Ahead of Assault Firearms Ban

Owner says daily firearm sales are eight to ten times higher than before legislative session

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A Roanoke, Virginia gun shop owner says sales of semi-automatic firearms have surged as customers rush to buy before an expected assault weapons ban takes effect. The bill, which could ban the sale of assault firearms, is on the governor's desk and would make selling or transferring such guns a misdemeanor crime if signed into law.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing debate around gun control legislation, with proponents arguing assault weapon bans can reduce gun violence, while opponents contend such laws unfairly target law-abiding gun owners. The spike in sales also reflects broader concerns about potential restrictions on firearm access.

The details

Mitchell Tyler, co-owner of Safeside Tactical, said the business has seen a sharp increase in sales since the legislative session began, with daily firearm sales eight to ten times higher than before. However, Tyler expects sales to decrease by 30% long-term after the law takes effect on July 1. Customers like Quintin Arthur are rushing to buy semi-automatic guns while they still can, with some first-time buyers also inquiring about AR-15 inventory.

  • The bill that could ban the sale of assault firearms is currently on the governor's desk.
  • If signed into law, the assault firearms ban would take effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Mitchell Tyler

Co-owner of Safeside Tactical, a Roanoke gun shop.

Quintin Arthur

A customer rushing to buy semi-automatic guns before a potential ban takes effect.

William Stanley Jr.

A state senator who voted against the assault weapons ban bill, arguing it penalizes lawful gun owners.

Saddam Azlan Salim

The state senator who introduced the assault weapons ban bill, basing it on a 1994 federal ban.

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What they’re saying

“I'd say we're selling eight to ten times as many firearms each day as we were prior to this session starting. That is going to change, though, after July 1st because many of the most popular firearms that are commonly in use in Virginia are becoming unavailable.”

— Mitchell Tyler, Co-owner, Safeside Tactical

“I don't like when somebody tells me I can't have something and I can't keep something, so that's why I'm buying more of them.”

— Quintin Arthur, Customer

“There are millions of Virginians who own firearms, and of those millions of owners who own one or more firearms in the Commonwealth of Virginia, they own billions of pieces of ammunition. If we were the problem, you would know about it.”

— William Stanley Jr., State Senator

What’s next

The governor is expected to decide whether to sign the assault weapons ban bill into law in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing tensions around gun control legislation, with gun shop owners and customers rushing to purchase semi-automatic firearms ahead of a potential ban, while lawmakers debate the merits of such restrictions and their impact on law-abiding gun owners.