Anger from gun rights supporters and MAGA-aligned activists flared in Virginia after Democratic lawmakers put forward a sweeping set of gun safety bills, including a proposal to ban assault-style weapons authored by Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, who is Bangladeshi-born.
The legislation moved forward on Monday when more than half a dozen gun-related bills were approved along party lines within a span of 4 hours.
The most contentious proposal was Senate Bill 749, sponsored by Salim. This bill would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or transfer of assault firearms and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. The bill passed on a 9-5 vote.
The measure would not criminalise firearms already legally owned. Assault weapons made before July 1, 2026, would be exempt, along with antique, permanently inoperable and manually operated firearms. Exceptions would also apply for law enforcement, military use and some family transfers.
“Currently, there are so many assault weapons in circulation. This approach will gradually take the weapons off the street without retroactively making it a crime to own a weapon that was legally purchased,” Salim said.
Republicans and gun rights activists opposed the bill, with some MAGA base attacking Salim personally and arguing that foreign-born lawmakers should not shape US gun laws.
What is the purpose of the Second Amendment?
Opponents inside the committee called the bill as unconstitutional.
Senator Mark Peake said this bill compromises the Second Amendment: “That’s the purpose of the Second Amendment. That’s why we have firearms to fight against a tyrannical government. And this bill is a direct infringement on the Second Amendment to fight against a tyrannical government.”
Gun rights activists gathered a week earlier at Capitol Square, warning that Democrats were reviving aggressive gun control after gaining control of the governor’s office.
No one who is born in a foreign country should be able to write laws in ours. Ridiculous.— Whale Psychiatrist ™️ (@k_ovfefe2) January 26, 2026
You should be born in this country before trying to strip away natural rights affirmed by the Constitution.— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 26, 2026
Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defence League, accused Democrats of targeting lawful gun owners. “While Democrats have bills to weaken laws on violent criminals, they like and support every bill that in any way infringes on the ability of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves,” he said.
Alongside Salim’s bill, lawmakers also advanced proposals on ghost guns, safe firearm storage, weapons in public spaces and firearms in vehicles.
Most of the approved bills will now move to the Senate Finance Committee to assess their financial impact.
