Virginia Citizens Defense league

Defending Your Right to Defend Yourself

va-alert-Legislative Update

Published 5/13/2026

For those who carry standard handguns in Virginia

Most of you are like me: you carry a semi-automatic handgun in public regularly for self-defense, either concealed or openly. You might own one or more “assault firearms” and probably own many magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. 

Your most pressing concern is probably how your ability to carry that semi-automatic handgun, with decent capacity magazines, might be changing on July 1.  That’s what this document is focused on!

First, let me be clear. I am not condoning any of the gun control passed this year and VCDL will be fighting it in court. But, in the same breath, it is important that you understand what is and what isn’t changing, so you can make rational decisions when carrying your handgun.

Take a deep breath, relax, and read on. Hopefully I can completely clarify this issue for you.

If you are currently carrying a regular handgun (not an AR-15-style pistol or an AK-47-style pistol), like a Glock 17, Sig P365 XMacro, Springfield Armory Echelon, Springfield Hellcat Pro, Walther PDP, Smith and Wesson M&P Shield, etc., then after July 1:

• You can continue to carry that same pistol, including in public places.
  
• You can continue to carry it with any of the magazines you owned for it prior to July 1, regardless of the magazine capacity.
  
• If your pistol has a threaded barrel for use with a suppressor, muzzle brake, etc., you can still carry the pistol just as you are now.

This is what will change for you after July 1:

• You cannot buy, sell, or transfer a magazine with a capacity higher than 15 rounds. If you want to have such magazines, BUY THEM NOW, before July 1 and you can keep and carry them!
  
• If you buy a regular handgun, such as a Sig P365 XMacro, that currently comes standard with 17-round magazines, the gun will instead probably come with 10-round magazines. But, if you have 17-round magazines that you owned prior to July 1, you can set aside the 10-round magazines and instead carry the gun with your 17-round magazines. If you plan on buying handguns after July 1 and they can use magazines with a capacity higher than 15 rounds, BUY THOSE MAGAZINES NOW, before July 1, so that you have them whenever you finally buy the guns.

The bottom line is that very little is going to change if you are merely carrying a semi-automatic handgun for self-defense in Virginia.

“Assault firearms” are a different matter and the upcoming laws affecting them are explained in VCDL’s Q&A document, which you can download by clicking here.