Judge Blocks Virginia Gun Laws Through 2026
A Lancaster County judge expanded an injunction to cover the Commonwealth of Virginia and its employees in a pending challenge to state firearm restrictions.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Law
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Lancaster County Circuit Judge John S. Martin enlarged a preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz on November 2, 2026, to cover the Commonwealth of Virginia, its agencies, and its employees. The order bars enforcement of the state's assault-firearm restrictions and 15-round magazine limit through December 31, 2026.
Why it matters
The order means Virginia's new statewide sales ban and other firearm restrictions cannot be enforced while the case proceeds in Lancaster County Circuit Court. Judge Martin has not yet issued a final judgment striking the statutes, so the injunction remains preliminary.
The preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz covers the Commonwealth, its agencies, and its employees, and runs through December 31, 2026. Judge Martin has not issued a final judgment on the constitutionality of the statutes.
The players
John S. Martin
Lancaster County Circuit Judge who enlarged the preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz.
Commonwealth of Virginia
The state government whose assault-firearm restrictions, magazine limit, and sales ban are covered by the injunction.
The details
Judge Martin enlarged an earlier, narrower preliminary injunction so that it binds the full state apparatus rather than only the original parties. The order blocks enforcement of Virginia's assault-firearm restrictions, its 15-round magazine limit, and its new sales ban statewide.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Judge Martin enlarged the preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz.
December 31, 2026: The injunction on Virginia's firearm restrictions and magazine limit expires.
Legal Context
The injunction applies Virginia's assault-firearm restrictions and 15-round magazine limit, which are now blocked from enforcement pending the Crump v. Katz challenge. The case remains open, and no final ruling has been issued on the statutes' validity.
Residents of Virginia cannot currently face enforcement of the state's assault-firearm restrictions, 15-round magazine limit, or new sales ban while the injunction is in effect. The restrictions could again become enforceable after December 31, 2026, unless the court acts before then.
The takeaway
Court injunctions can suspend state laws before a final ruling, so the practical effect of a statute may depend on how quickly courts resolve challenges. Readers following Virginia firearm rules should watch the Crump v. Katz docket in Lancaster County Circuit Court.
What happens next
The injunction is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, when the state's enforcement of the restrictions could resume absent further court action.
Further reading
Explore more on Virginia law and how state courts handle challenges to firearm statutes.
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Should Virginia enforce its assault-firearm and 15-round magazine limits?
