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U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine have introduced a sweeping federal gun control bill that would ban certain firearms, expand red flag laws, and impose new nationwide restrictions on gun ownership.
The proposal, titled the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026, marks one of the most expansive federal gun control efforts introduced in recent years.
If passed, the bill would create new federal standards on firearm purchases, storage, and access while reviving controversial measures like an “assault weapons” ban.
The legislation comes on the anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and is framed by its sponsors as a national expansion of policies already adopted in Virginia.
“This is about implementing commonsense reforms nationwide,” Kaine said.
What’s in the Federal Gun Control Bill
Key provisions in the bill include:
- One-handgun-per-month purchase limits
- Federal red flag law framework
- Assault weapons sale ban
- Ghost gun prohibition
- Mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours
- Secure storage requirements for firearms in unattended vehicles
- Expanded firearm restrictions tied to domestic violence and restraining orders
- New federal gun-free zones near hospitals and mental health facilities
Taken together, the bill represents a broad federal push that touches nearly every aspect of firearm ownership.
Industry Pushback Builds
The proposal is already drawing sharp criticism from the firearm industry and Second Amendment advocates.
Mark Oliva, managing director of public affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, told GunsAmerica the legislation reflects a growing disconnect between lawmakers and gun owners.
“The phrase, ‘Don’t California my Virginia’ is a phrase that is being heard more often in the Old Dominion, for a reason,” Oliva said. “Governor Abigail Spanberger is importing those same draconian gun control laws to the Commonwealth and Senators Kaine and Warner appear to be in lockstep with her.”
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Oliva pointed to a surge in firearm purchases in Virginia as evidence that residents are reacting to the policy direction.
“Virginians are buying guns at a 70 percent higher rate than they were a year ago, now that these gun control restrictions are at their doorstep,” he said. “Instead of listening to Virginians whom they are supposed to represent, Senators Kaine and Warner are attempting to export these gun control laws nationwide.”
He also framed the proposal in the broader context of American history and constitutional rights.
“This is the Commonwealth that gave the nation George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who authored the Second Amendment,” Oliva added. “These senators aren’t keepers of our freedoms. They are threats to Americans’ Constitutional rights.”
What Happens Next
Supporters argue the bill builds on policies already in place in Virginia and aligns with previous federal efforts like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Critics, however, focus on the breadth of the proposal. Particularly the combination of bans, purchase limits, and federal enforcement mechanisms.
The inclusion of an assault weapons ban alone is expected to trigger significant legal and political pushback, especially as Second Amendment challenges continue working through the courts.
The bill’s path forward in Congress remains uncertain, but it is already shaping up to be a major flashpoint in the ongoing debate over federal gun policy.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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I was once proud to say that I was from the Commonwealth of Virginia. I now hang my head in shame. My wife and I are both disabled veterans. We decided to leave Virginia and head for Pennsylvania. One more thing when I joined the United States Army, I was 17. in the way I read the law that senatorKane proposes is that I would not be able to handle my M 16, because my drill sergeants were not any relations to me, i.e. father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother. So he might want to think about that before he tries to impose laws that are both absurd, and useless.
Saturday night and another attempt on our president. You want this? All in the name of 2A? Well, you’ll have it. And more to follow. Schools and churches and temples and malls and public events. Maybe my family members, and maybe some of yours. The mental health argument doesn’t work; I know first hand. Red flag laws aren’t much better. The existing supply of guns is immeasurable.
Remember that fun toy Jarts – the steel tipped dart, about 8-10 inches long that you threw in the air and it came down maybe hitting into the plastic ring? It was banned in the U.S. after only a few incidents and deaths.
Too late for ARs and AKs. Millions in circulation and they’ll last for decades even if banned tomorrow. Enthusiasts will have a ready supply (but at higher prices).
I’m no RINO, full blooded Republican for all 51 of my registered years. But if you can’t live with a six shot wheel gun, 10 shot clip, or bolt rifle, you’re an irresponsible gun owner, maybe even a gun nut.
Your a dump ass is very sense of the word ! Your Democrat even if you refuse to acknowledge it when you look in the mirror . I’ll tell you where to stick that wheel gun like a true patriot!
Sir, I disagree with your assessment. You are entitled to your opinion. I will say, however, that it is not correct for you to want to infringe upon my CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to keep and bear arms because I prefer to own a semi-automatic pistol that holds more than six rounds of ammunition. Your thinking is what will eventually lead to this country no longer being the land of the free, home of the brave. Don’t tread on me, and I won’t bother you. I think that is why the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution the way they did.
Again they are not assault rifles they are A.R.Stoner rifles
These stupid democrats are so out of touch with reality, they should be locked in padded cell. Kane and Warner can flat go to Hell and I’m sure they will.
And this is in response to the new lowest murder rate in the United States by making attackers less likely to encounter resistance?
One of the senators is mentally ill and the other is insane. You figure out which.
So, expand the areas where criminals know there won’t be any guns and no-one there to enforce it.
both are idiot dems
“Assault”: a violent physical or verbal attack. We are constantly ASSAULTED by those wanting to pry away our safeguards to freedom by those who only wish to control us. I can’t understand how the voting public can be so ignorant and complacent as to let us get into this predicament.
Revolution does not need to be bloody. We just need to push back forcefully at every level of government. But it requires the spineless and lazy to get off their backsides and strengthen our votes! This is not just about 2A, this is about all our freedoms as provided by God and our Constitution. Come on people!
The fact is.
Until the people take the law makers that come up with these bills that undermine the Constitution, the very same Constitution they swore to uphold and protect and end their miserable lives we the people deserve every bit of tyranny they spit out!
My personal favorite message to send would be 5 horses 5 ropes
Pull them apart and pike their heads
Plant the piked heads where the rest of the legislature must pass by before doing the peoples work.
Is this too primal?
i like that, nice!!!
How many times has this bs popped up in the past Its bs where is DJT and his crew? These pathetic pansies know full well “gun violence” is a fabricated falsehood term aimed at taking attention off the real core problem which is “Human Violence” These dumb ass evil marxists dont care about people they act like they do but are true liars as is their master satan They want control they want power and they need to be shut down and cast out of my country just like a demon is cast out of a person! All these jack asses do is fight against everything real conservatives stand for All we have right now is 2 parties and if you have any God sense and half a brain you would never vote democrat notice the last 3 letters in democrat is RAT…. tell em to shove their bans up their corrupt a……es!
The first purpose of this abomination is to show the nation that the Dems have not given up on all their gun grab wet dreams,. and where they;’ll head if – when, really – they ever get in power again.
The second, to show their base they are at war with what remains of the gun culture in the US, a culture of individuality and patriotism, precisely the opposite of what the Bolshevist left stands for.
A major reason **not** to end the filibuster.
We the people elect the politicians to do what we the people want. As all politicians do as soon as they get in they no longer worry about the people, seems everything they get done hurts us in one way or another. Guns do not kill people it is the person behind the trigger with a mental issue. Politicians should worry more on mentality than taking our gun rights or making laws to make people more unsafe because they cannot get to a weapon soon enough to protect ourselves from a invasion or car jacking, the laws you want will make us good people much more in danger
Warner and Kaine will be swept into HeII. lt’s for eternity, boys!
Are they Trying to get a Civil War II? Because that’s how you get a Civil War II
Just a commieass stunt to fire up their commieass voters for this Fall’s elections. There is ZERO excuse for any non-commieass to not show up to vote against all these America hating fools in November or the current primaries.
Anything is preferred by these clowns rather than prosecuting the actors for gun crimes.
Guns don’t kill, criminals do and they follow no laws.
Why all the consternation?
Do we not stil have a Second Amendment that expressly explains our inalienable right?
Do we not see Virginia Patriots arming themselves in increasing numbers?
Seems like true Americans aren’t the ones who need to be concerned…
For Democrats, the Constitution is an obstacle, and they will continue to try to undermine it; that is why we must remain vigilant to prevent this from happening.
MOLON LABE
OH You mean Washington state on a national level? Does that finally get all you tacticool fools attention? Fucksticks!
WHAT PART OF OF THE “SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED” DO THESE TREASONOUS EVIL CONGRESS MEMBERS NOT UNDERSTAND!!!!
They would be better off concentrating
on home and school discipline reform/education than destroying some of the values of this country. Leave gun safety education to the NRA and such and good instructors. And provide assistance to our educators…plenty of school supplies could be purchased with the monies they WASTE.
Of course the idiot Senators from Virginia are jumping on the democrat bandwagon of Stanberger to push the UnConstitutional gun bans that have proven to have no effect on criminals from breaking the law. Only law abiding citizens obey the laws of the land.
I’m so feckin tired of hearing about this shit I could scream. Somebody wake me up when the liberals get their heads out of their asses and realize what the real problem is… and it “ain’t” the guns. We waste so much time, energy and money on this subject we should all be given back our tax money for both state and federal for wasting our time/money on the subject.
It’s too bad that the TRAITORS that develop such schemes AREN’T the ones sent door to door.
+1! 👍
All these people are tearing away at our rights. All of these people have armed security 24 7. If they pass these gun bans they need to loose their armed security. We the people can’t afford armed security and now they want to remove our rights to protect ourselves. Since the police have said it’s not their jobs to protect us. These senators and congress should have to live with the laws they pass. If these gun control laws make it so much safer why would they need armed security 24 7.
I call for the imediate arrest of these 2 politicians that are trying to pass more unconstitutional laws on the American people. This is the final solution to rid America of this Communist trash.
National registry of firearms is there goal. The rest is a concoction of playing on people’s feelings and grief, rules and regulations that will not impede criminals, but make it harder to follow the law for those who are not planning on a killing spree. National registry of firearms is the next step to taking your guns away. The Nazis in the 30’s proved that.
Why do these rinos still get elected
These two filth are Democrats. No guns, huge tax increases, no gas cars, nothing but windmills and solar panels and all the criminal Muzzie illegal trash they can scour from the third world direct to your town.
Virginia has gone off the deep end
And not one of those 13 items in their plan would have stopped the Virginia Tech shooter: he didn’t use a ghost gun, he didn’t use a rifle (let alone an “assault rifle”), he wasn’t a minor, etc., etc. Virginians have apparently forgotten their motto: “sic semper tyrannis.”
I wonder if these two jack wagons have ever read the second amendment to the US Constitution which states” a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the rights of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. They keep poking the bear sooner or later it will turn on them.
But, on a positive note…
Senator Mark R. Warner Made an Estimated $4.8M in the Stock Market Last Month
If Warner and Kaine really wanted to pass this bill, they should just name it “the Donald Trump is great” act and the President would sell out any principled stand he might have for the flattery.
don’t you mean king charles not trump
…yes, paul. I meant King Charles. Two US Senators should exploit King Charles’ famous weakness for flattery to achieve their policy objectives in the US. And then they should all drink warm beer measured in Celciuses while watching a full day of soccer matches, 7 hours and 5 goals.
glad you came clean. if you bad mouth our president then i will bad mouth your king!
👍🏻
Of course, words on a piece of paper will be effective. This is regardless of what you think of this proposed legislation.
virginia just enacted those laws so the only stats are crime is going up steadily. get rid of gun free zones then there won’t be any need for secure storage in vehicles, besides if one can steal convertors in less than 2 minutes how long would it take to take the whole gun safe. how about doing some real gun control by locking up criminals or the death penalty, i can guarantee that will work!