VCDL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Lobby Day 2027 is Monday, January 18!

When Virginia Gun Owners Show Up, VCDL Gets Results!

For decades, the Virginia Citizens Defense League has done more than talk about protecting the Second Amendment. We’ve shown up and done the work.


From the General Assembly to local governments and the courts, VCDL has fought to protect and expand the rights of Virginia gun owners, stop bad legislation, challenge unconstitutional laws, hold government officials accountable, and mobilize one of the strongest grassroots gun-rights movements in the country.


And the work hasn’t stopped during the quieter years. When the General Assembly or the courts gave VCDL a little breathing room, the organization used that time to expand its advocacy reach, strengthen grassroots involvement, grow its educational efforts, build relationships in communities across Virginia, and prepare for the fights ahead. Protecting the Second Amendment isn’t just about reacting when a bad bill drops. It’s about building the network, knowledge, and resources needed before the next fight begins.


Some victories have changed Virginia law. Others have stopped restrictions before they ever took effect. Some required lawsuits, packed committee rooms, thousands of phone calls and emails, or tens of thousands of Virginians showing up when it mattered.



The list below represents years of that work and a reminder that protecting the Second Amendment isn’t a spectator sport.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

  • Secured a preliminary injunction in Crump v. Katz, blocking enforcement of key provisions of Virginia’s newly enacted “assault firearm” and magazine restrictions while VCDL and its partners continue their constitutional challenge.
  • Continued defending the 2025 victory against Virginia’s Universal Background Check law as the Commonwealth sought to revive enforcement.
  • Won a major court victory with Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation striking down Virginia’s Universal Background Check requirement for private firearm sales and securing a statewide permanent injunction against enforcement.
  • Helped stop another major wave of gun-control legislation, including an “assault weapons” ban, when Governor Youngkin vetoed approximately two dozen firearm-related bills.
  • Helped defeat a massive wave of gun-control legislation after anti-gun legislators regained control of both chambers of the General Assembly; Governor Youngkin vetoed 30 gun-control bills.
  • Helped secure changes to six additional gun-control bills so they no longer posed the same threat to Virginia gun owners.
  • Expanded VCDL’s education efforts through the VCDL Academy.
  • Expanded VCDL’s litigation capabilities through the Virginia Citizens Defense Foundation.
  • Helped defeat nearly all major gun-control legislation introduced during the General Assembly session, including proposed bans on so-called “assault weapons,” magazines and suppressors, a waiting period, expanded storage mandates and additional carry restrictions.
  • Won a preliminary injunction against Winchester’s gun ban in city parks and at permitted events.
  • Secured an important ruling applying the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen text, history and tradition standard to the right to keep and bear arms protected by Article I, §13 of the Virginia Constitution.
  • Had a rolling gun‑rights rally through Richmond with over one thousand vehicles participating
  • Continued to fight localities that created local gun‑control ordinances
  • Sued the City of Winchester over their local gun‑control ordinance2020
  • Had the largest gun-rally in the United States on Lobby Day, January 20, with over 50,000 attendees
  • With anti-gun Democrats in control of the House and Senate, as well as having an anti-gun Democrat Lt. Governor and Governor, some gun control passed, but it was greatly watered down; an attempt to pass a ban on semi-automatic rifles, magazines holding more than 10 rounds, and suppressors was crushed
  • Awarded the prestigious “Grassroots Organization of the Year” at the Gun Rights Policy Conference
  • Held a protest rally against Alexandria implementing local gun-control per a new law which became effective in July
  • Fought against other localities (Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Arlington, Falls Church, and more) which were moving to implement local gun-control
  • Sued the Commonwealth over a new Universal Background Check law that would prohibit those aged 18 to 20 from purchasing a handgun from a private seller; the Court issued a stay on that part of the law until December 2021, and VCDL continued to seek a permanent stay
  • Sued the Commonwealth to get a stay on the new One Handgun a Month law; the Court declined for lack of standing
  • Sued the Commonwealth to allow indoor ranges to open during COVID-19 lockdowns; a stay was granted in the Lynchburg case and indoor ranges statewide were subsequently allowed to reopen
  • Got 40 localities to pass a resolution against implementing any local gun-control
  • Joined Gun Owners of America in a lawsuit against the federal bump-stock ban
  • Killed all 75 gun-control bills
  • Worked with Arlington County to speed up issuance of Concealed Handgun Permits (CHPs)
  • Fixed an issue with Greene County not issuing CHPs within the required 45-day timeframe
  • Worked with Page County to reduce the CHP fee
  • Helped pass 16 pro-gun bills, with five signed into law, even with an anti-gun governor
  • Killed all 34 gun-control bills
  • Worked with Roanoke Valley Metro to end its “No Guns” policy
  • Worked with Woodstock and Harrisonburg to fix unlawful restrictions on shooting air guns
  • Worked with Kilmarnock and Arlington counties to remove unlawful restrictions on firearms in parks
  • Worked with Franklin, Botetourt, and Roanoke counties to remove unlawful prohibitions on carrying firearms in parades and demonstrations
  • Instrumental role in getting a new law that expanded the number of states that honor Virginia permits
  • Second-ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements removed for gun purchases for Virginia residents
  • All anti-gun bills neutered or killed
  • Successfully lobbied the General Assembly to pass a bill providing protections for someone who inadvertently carries on K-12 school property
  • All anti-gun bills neutered or killed
  • Protested Stafford County Sheriff Jett’s attempt to keep VCDL from having a booth at a “National Night Out” event
  • Helped stop the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors from enacting hunting and shooting restrictions
  • Compelled Roanoke City to remove two illegal “No Guns” signs
  • All anti-gun bills neutered or killed
  • Seven pro-gun bills passed, the most important protecting CHP holder information
  • Obtained a Writ of Mandamus to force the Petersburg City Court Clerk to correctly issue CHPs
  • All anti-gun bills neutered or killed
  • Repealed the fingerprint requirement for CHPs
  • Prevented localities from banning firearms in employees’ personal vehicles at work
  • Prevented gun bans during a declared state of emergency
  • Repealed Virginia’s “One Handgun a Month” law
  • All anti-gun bills neutered or killed

The Virginia Citizens Defense League and the Virginia Citizens Defense Foundation are actively preparing and supporting legal action against multiple 2A restrictions passed during Virginia’s 2026 legislative session.


These lawsuits are about more than politics. They are about protecting constitutional rights, challenging government overreach, and preventing legally owned property from being regulated into obscurity through confusing, burdensome, and unconstitutional legislation.


This Fight Belongs to Everyone, Not Just Virginians, and Not Just Those Bearing Arms

These lawsuits are not just about current 2A advocates in Virginia. They are about the future of constitutional rights in Virginia and the rest of the country!  Virginia is a test bed for how to get 2A restrictions passed and signed into law in what once was a very pro-rights state.  If the opposition succeeds here, it will be coming to other states and maybe the nation.


It is no secret that the entire Bill of Rights works as a whole, and the Second Amendment protects the rest of our rights.  It we lost the Second Amendment, the rest of our rights will disappear, leaving government our master and not our servant.  Just cast your eyes to England.


Every restriction left unchallenged becomes the starting point for the next restriction. Every vague law left standing becomes another tool for selective enforcement and confusion.


We cannot afford to be complacent with our constitutional rights. The opposition has invested heavily in legislation, messaging, and long-term strategy. Defending constitutional rights requires the same level of eternal commitment, organization, and persistence.