Locked and Loaded: Spanberger Inadvertently Makes Case for Striking Down New Gun Ban

In this Jonathan Turley article, Turley argues that Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger may have undermined her own defense of a new gun ban by admitting the law could sweep in firearms commonly used for hunting.

• Turley says Spanberger signed a Virginia bill banning so-called “assault firearms” while acknowledging that lawmakers rejected her proposed amendment to carve out certain hunting firearms.
• He argues that this admission could become powerful evidence in future Second Amendment litigation because it suggests the ban reaches firearms in common lawful use.
• The article frames Spanberger as having run as a moderate but governed further left after Democrats gained power in Virginia.
• Turley connects the issue to major Supreme Court precedent, including District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which strengthened individual gun rights.
• He notes that AR-15-style rifles are widely owned in America and are used for home defense, target shooting, and hunting.
• Turley argues that the “assault weapon” label is politically loaded and legally vulnerable when applied to firearms that are common among law-abiding citizens.
• He points out that lower courts remain divided over bans on semiautomatic weapons and magazine restrictions.
• The article predicts the Supreme Court will eventually have to resolve these conflicts, and Spanberger’s signing statement may help challengers make their case.

Read the full story: https://jonathanturley.org/2026/05/17/locked-and-loaded-spanberger-inadvertently-makes-case-for-striking-down-new-gun-ban/