Trump administration threatens to sue Virginia if Spanberger signs gun-related bills

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Trump administration says it is "closely watching" Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), prepared to sue Virginia if she signs bills that place restrictions on firearms in the state.

On Friday, April 10, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that lawyers are "standing by" to sue Virginia if Spanberger "enacts certain bills that unconstitutionally limit law-abiding Americans' individual rights to bear arms."

"@SpanbergerForVA is on notice: 2A rights SHALL NOT BE infringed," Dhillion said in an April 10 post on X.

In a letter to Spanberger, Dhillon -- who is part of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division -- states that the Virginia General Assembly has sent "over 20 bills that restrict Second Amendment rights" to Spanberger's desk.

Letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) regarding gun control bills sent to her desk. (Photo: Harmeet K. Dhillon/Civil Rights Division of the DOJ)

Letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) regarding gun control bills sent to her desk. (Photo: Harmeet K. Dhillon/Civil Rights Division of the DOJ)

"President Trump issued Executive Order 14206 making clear that this Administration will take affirmative steps to ensure that Second Amendment rights 'must not be infringed,'" Dhillion wrote.

Dhillion specifically calls out Senate Bill 749 in her letter. If enacted, this legislation would make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer assault weapons in Virginia starting on July 1, with some exceptions. 

Supporters of this bill say that it will make Virginia safer by removing "weapons of war" from its streets, while opponents say it will punish law-abiding citizens rather than criminals -- a perspective echoed by the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.

"Unfortunately, Virginia appears poised to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to enjoy and use AR-15 rifles for lawful purposes by making it a crime to purchase and sell them," Dhillion wrote.

Dhillion said that the Civil Rights Division will step in in the event that legislation like SB 749 is signed and enacted.

"I urge you to reconsider allowing any bill that would infringe on the lawful use of protected firearms by law-abiding citizens to become law," Dhillion wrote.

At this time, Spanberger has not commented publicly on the DOJ's threat.

In a statement previously given to 8News, Spanberger said the following about SB 749:

"As the mother of three daughters in Virginia public schools and a former federal law enforcement officer who carried a gun every day, Governor Spanberger knows how important it is to make sure kids and families are safe. 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."