As July 1, 2026 approaches, three states illustrate how differently new firearm restrictions can play out. Two new laws are about to take effect; a third has just been stopped at the courthouse door.

Virginia: A Ban Halted Before It Began

Virginia presents the best news. Its firearm and magazine ban adopted with the passage of Senate Bill 749, was scheduled to take effect July 1 — but a judge has blocked it. A Lancaster County Circuit Court judge granted a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing Virginia State Police from enforcing the law before its effective date.

SB 749, prohibits the purchase, sale, manufacture, import and transfer of “Assault Firearms” and “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices”. The ruling came in Crump v. Katz, a suit brought by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, the Virginia Citizens Defense Foundation, Gun Owners of America, and the Gun Owners Foundation, alongside individual plaintiffs. They argue the law violates the Second Amendment and Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution. The injunction remains in effect through December 31, 2026, unless modified by the court or litigation concludes prior thereto.

VA Attorney General Jay Jones said the State will seek an emergency stay of the injunction and appeal, calling the ban compliant with the Constitution.  FFLs should pay attention to the case and the news to stay up to date on whether these new products ban go into effect on July 1 or whether the injunction remains in place.

Rhode Island: A Decade-Long Push Becomes Law

Rhode Island’s ban on the sale of certain firearms takes effect July 1, 2026. It took roughly 10 years for state politicians to find a way to ban the sale, manufacturing, distribution, and purchase of products identified as “Prohibited Firearms”.

As most are aware, the final version targets sales rather than possession. Existing owners may keep these firearms but cannot transfer them except to federally licensed dealers or lawful out-of-state owners. Thankfully, a registration provision in the original draft was stripped out.  Violation of the new law carries penalties include up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture.

Colorado: New Rules at the Ammunition Counter

Colorado’s HB25-1133 also takes effect July 1, 2026, reshaping how ammunition is sold in the state. Signed into law on April 18, 2025, it imposes two central requirements. First, ammunition sold at retail must be accessible to a purchaser only with the assistance of the vendor, effectively requiring it to be stored behind a counter or in a locked case. Second, it prohibits the retail sale of ammunition to anyone younger than 21.

The law carves out several exceptions. In-person sales are still permitted to 18-to-20-year-olds at shooting ranges, members of the military and veterans, those with hunter education certification, people protected by a protection order, or those born on or before January 28, 2007.

The rules extend to online ammunition sales. Sellers must utilize a delivery service that verifies the recipient is 21 or older, obtain a signature, and ensure proper packaging. Sellers must notify carriers that packages contain ammunition but cannot label the outside of the package to say so. A first violation is a civil infraction; subsequent offenses become a class 1 misdemeanor.

However, and very important, the law does not apply to rimfire ammunition.

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