The federal government just sent a warning shot to Virginia.
On April 10, the U.S. Department of Justice told Governor Abigail Spanberger that if she signs certain gun control bills into law, the state’s likely looking at a lawsuit.
🚨@SpanbergerForVA is on notice: 2A rights SHALL NOT BE infringed.
We are closely watching—in the event any unlawful legislation is enacted, we will sue. @CivilRights will protect the 2A rights of law-abiding citizens in Virginia.
2A Section Lawyers are standing by… 🚨 pic.twitter.com/h2DfXwgaKC
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) April 10, 2026
The issue centers on proposals like SB 749.
The bill would restrict AR-15 style rifles and other semi-automatic firearms; among the most commonly owned guns in the country.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon made the message clear.
“2A rights SHALL NOT BE infringed,” she wrote, adding that the DOJ is “closely watching” and ready to act.
That’s backed up by a formal letter from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
And there’s something new behind it.
Inside the DOJ’s New Gun Rights Unit
The department has created a dedicated Second Amendment Section. Its job is to defend gun rights in court and challenge state laws that go too far.
In other words, they’re gearing up for a real fight.
The DOJ says these proposed laws clash with recent Supreme Court rulings.
One big case is District of Columbia v. Heller. That decision confirmed an individual’s right to own a firearm for self-defense.
Another is New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That case raised the bar for gun laws. It says restrictions must match the country’s history and tradition.
That’s a tough test to meet.
The DOJ letter also points out that AR-15 style rifles are widely owned. Courts have even described them as being in “common use.”
That matters, because the Constitution gives stronger protection to commonly used firearms.
In the DOJ’s eyes, banning or limiting them crosses the line.
How This Fight Hits Home
Now we’ll zoom in for a second on Nevada.
What’s happening in Virginia won’t stay there.
Here, lawmakers have been moving step by step toward tighter gun rules.
If the DOJ starts challenging states more aggressively, that could affect what happens next in Carson City.
Future Nevada laws could face quicker legal tests. Or lawmakers might think twice before pushing new restrictions.
There’s also a bigger shift happening across the nation. This move follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14206, which directs federal agencies to protect Second Amendment rights more actively.
The new DOJ section is part of that effort.
The Legal Fight Is Coming
So what happens now?
If Virginia moves forward with these bills, expect a court battle. Fast. And those cases don’t stay local for long.
Court rulings often shape policy across the country; that includes here in Nevada.
This isn’t a warning. It’s a promise.
Cross the line on gun rights, and the lawsuit is coming.
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