WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN   

Takes action to protect public health, keep communities safe and defend democracy 

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jay Jones continued taking action to protect public health, keep communities safe and defend democracy, while also honoring the rule of law and engaging with 2026 graduates.   

Vape Crisis 

Attorney General Jay Jones continues to address the growing crisis of illegal and unregulated vape products in the Commonwealth.  

WHRO: New federal vape rules expected to build on Virginia’s forthcoming vape law 

Legislation in Virginia aimed to curb vaping, or at least the number of stores selling dangerous, unregulated products, is set to go into effect this summer, and Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones says the federal and state efforts complement each other. 

“The good news is FDA authorized products are eligible for inclusion on our product directory, and we’re excited because on July 1 it will become harder for minors to buy vapes than it ever has been before,” Jones said. 

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“We will maintain the directory and then continue to work with ABC through the enforcement perspective which we think is the right scheme to really make a meaningful impact to get these products off of children’s hands,” Jones said. 

Keeping Communities Safe  

Attorney General Jay Jones joined a multistate comment letter opposing an unlawful proposal by the United States Postal Service, that would allow firearms to be moved across state borders by mail.   

Virginia Mercury: Virginia joins 21 states in opposing USPS gun mailing proposal  

In a multi-state comment letter, the attorneys general argue the proposal is unlawful and would create what they describe as a dangerous loophole in federal law that has restricted the mailing of concealable firearms for nearly a century.  

“This loophole puts guns in the hands of those barred by Virginia law from buying weapons, and it allows people to blatantly dodge background checks and access illegal firearms,” Jones said in a statement. “The federal government continues to undermine the law and (is) putting our communities at risk in the process.” 

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In their letter, the attorneys general contend that the statute remains valid and enforceable, noting it has never been struck down by a court.  

They argue that allowing firearms to be shipped through the mail without going through licensed dealers would bypass background check requirements and increase access for people barred from owning guns, including felons and domestic abusers.  

The states also warn the change could complicate criminal investigations by weakening existing firearm tracing systems. Without federal trace data tied to licensed sellers, law enforcement agencies could face higher costs and new logistical challenges in tracking weapons used in crimes. 

News From The States  

NBC12  

WTOP  

Yahoo News  

Fauquier Times  

MSN: Mail-order firearm loophole? Virginia joins 21 states to block USPS rule  

Law enforcement officials are also worried about the price tag of this policy change. According to the letter, the unregulated mailing of firearms would make it significantly harder for states to trace weapons used in crimes. This would force local agencies to spend more money and man-hours building new tracking systems at a time when state budgets are already under heavy pressure. 

The Attorneys General also addressed the Second Amendment, stating that the 1927 law only regulates how the Postal Service operates and does not infringe on an individual’s right to own a gun. 

Cardinal News: Headlines from across the state: Virginia joins 21 states opposing USPS gun mailing proposal; more...  

FFX Now: Morning Notes from May 6, 2026 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones on Tuesday joined 21 other states in opposing a proposed United States Postal Service rule that would allow certain firearms to be sent through the mail, warning the change could undermine state gun laws and make it easier for prohibited individuals to obtain weapons. 

Defending the Will of the Voters 

The Office of the Attorney General continued to defend the will of the voters by asking the Supreme Court to allow implementation of voter-approved congressional maps.  

Politico: Virginia Democrats ask Supreme Court to restore their new map 

The state’s attorney general, Jay Jones, filed an emergency appeal with the high court Monday following an unexpected, 4-3 decision from the Virginia Supreme Court on Friday invalidating the ballot measure. 

Jones asked Chief Justice John Roberts, who oversees emergency appeals arising from Virginia, to issue a temporary stay that would allow election preparations to continue under the lines newly drawn to favor Democrats. Roberts did not immediately act but is likely to refer the request to the full bench of the Supreme Court for a vote. 

ABCNews: Virginia Democrats ask US Supreme Court to override state court on nixing redistricting plan 

In an emergency application filed Monday, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones wrote that the Virginia Supreme Court was " deeply mistaken" when it invalidated the ballot measure, arguing the decision was predicated on a flawed understanding of "election day" and usurps the authority of state legislatures under the Constitution to supervise federal elections.    

"The irreparable harm resulting from the Supreme Court of Virginia's decision is profound and immediate. By forcing the Commonwealth to conduct its congressional elections using districts different from those adopted by the General Assembly pursuant to a constitutional amendment the people just ratified, the Supreme Court of Virginia has deprived voters, candidates, and the Commonwealth of their right to the lawfully enacted congressional districts," Jones wrote. 

Fox5: Virginia AG asks Supreme Court to reinstate voter approved House map 

WTVR: Virginia’s Attorney General takes redistricting fight to US Supreme Court  

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to delay issuing its mandate to void the results of last month's redistricting referendum as state Democrats prepare an appeal to the United States Supreme Court.  

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After the decision came down, Jones said in a statement they were reviewing what he called "an unprecedented order" and are "evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people."  

He issued his motion to delay the mandate Friday evening, citing a rule that may require the Court to defer the issuance of its mandate if a party intends to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of the United States. 

SCOTUSblog: Virginia asks Supreme Court to allow it to reinstate congressional maps that would advantage Democrats 

Although the Supreme Court does not normally review decisions by state courts that rest on state law, the Virginia Democrats and Jones argued that the justices should intervene in this case because it implicates “two critical issues of federal law” – specifically, the meaning of the term “election” under federal law, and the idea that the state court so “impermissibly transgressed the ordinary bounds of judicial review” that its ruling should be reversed. 

Moreover, the Democrats and Jones added, the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling “overthrows [a] democratic outcome just days before the Commonwealth must begin its preparations to administer the 2026 midterm election.” 

The Cavalier Daily: Jay Jones files emergency request to U.S. Supreme Court after redistricting ruling 

“Based on that novel and manifestly atextual interpretation, the Court overrode the will of the people who ratified the amendment by ordering the Commonwealth to conduct its election with the [6-5] congressional districts that the people rejected,” Jones wrote in his request to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Jones continued, writing in the request that the Virginia Supreme Court is “deeply mistaken” on two counts. First, Jones alleged the court misinterpreted the term “election” and second, alleged that this misinterpretation resulted in the court taking power away from the legislature.  

“The Supreme Court of Virginia ‘transgressed the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that it arrogated to itself the power vested in the state legislature to regulate federal elections,’” Jones wrote in his request. 

Fox5: Virginia AG files emergency appeal to US Supreme Court on maps 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has filed an emergency request for a stay with the United States Supreme Court after the Virginia Supreme Court blocked a statewide redistricting referendum that Democrats said could reshape the state’s congressional map. 

In the filing, Jones argued the Virginia Supreme Court misinterpreted federal law by treating an "election" as a single day rather than an ongoing process. He also argued the court improperly assumed the role of the state legislature in regulating federal elections. 

NBC29: Virginia Democrats file emergency appeal with U.S. Supreme Court over redistricting ruling 

Virginia justices voided the results on Friday in a 4-3 vote, holding that Democrats violated the Constitution when they initially voted to pass the constitutional amendment in October 2025. 

The appeal argues that state Supreme Court justices “overrode the will of the people,” as Virginia voters narrowly voted to pass the amendment through a statewide referendum in late April. 

WSLS: Democrats ask the Supreme Court to halt Va. ruling blocking new congressional districts 

“The Court overrode the will of the people who ratified the amendment by ordering the Commonwealth to conduct its election with the congressional districts that the people rejected,” wrote lawyers for Virginia Democrats and the state’s Democratic Attorney General, Jay Jones. They added, “The irreparable harm resulting from the Supreme Court of Virginia’s decision is profound and immediate.” 

ALXnow 

WCYB5: AG Jay Jones releases statement after Virginia Supreme Court rules against redistricting 

“The strength and stability of our democracy depends on adherence to the rule of law, the execution of free and fair elections where every eligible voter can cast their ballots to choose their leaders, and public trust in the institutions that provide accountability and protect our democratic processes. This Court’s ruling follows a dangerous trend of tilting power away from the people.” 

WTKR: Jay Jones, VA Democrats file motion asking state Supreme Court to pause decision to void redistricting results 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, along with notable Virginia Democrats, has filed a motion asking the Virginia Supreme Court to delay issuing their mandate striking down the redistricting referendum that would give Democrats a 10-1 advantage. 

He issued the motion, with supporters in House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas, to pause the mandate on Friday night after the state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the process by which the referendum reached the ballot did not comply with constitutional requirements. 

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Jones said in a statement that they were reviewing the decision, which he called an "unprecedented order" and planned to "defend the will of the people." 

Jones wrote that they also plan to file an Emergency Petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

WTVR: Virginia AG asks Supreme Court to pause mandate voiding redistricting referendum results 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is asking the Virginia Supreme Court to delay issuing its mandate to void the results of last month's redistricting referendum as state Democrats prepare an appeal to the United States Supreme Court. 

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After the decision came down, Jones said in a statement they were reviewing what he called "an unprecedented order" and are "evaluating every legal pathway forward to defend the will of the people." 

He issued his motion to delay the mandate Friday evening, citing a rule that may require the Court to defer the issuance of its mandate if a party intends to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Celebrating the Class of 2026 

Attorney General Jay Jones gave the keynote address at Norfolk State University Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 9. This weekend, Attorney General Jones will deliver the keynote address at Virginia State University’s second commencement ceremony. He is he is honored to congratulate and ready graduates as they embark on this next stage in their lives. 

The Progress Index: VSU graduation speakers, tickets, schedule and livestream 

Virginia State University will hold two spring 2026 commencement ceremonies at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center on Saturday, May 16. 

Two historic Virginia leaders, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the first woman elected governor of Virginia, and Attorney General Jay Jones, the first Black Virginia’s attorney general, will deliver keynote addresses. 

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The second ceremony, with Jones as the keynote speaker, will celebrate graduates from the College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Natural and Health Sciences, and the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. 

Social Media: 

Norfolk State University Instagram Post 1 

Norfolk State University Instagram Post 2 

Law Day 

The Office of the Attorney General celebrated Law Day, on May 1. Law Day is a moment to remember the significance of the rule of law and our legal system.   

13NewsNow: Attorney General Jay Jones attends Newport News Law Day Open House  

The Virginian-Pilot: Virginia attorney general will kick off ‘Law Day’ at Newport News courthouse Friday 

The Newport News courthouse will open its doors to the public Friday for an educational program about various aspects of the judicial system. 

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“This event represents a meaningful step toward transparency and civil engagement in our local justice system,” the Circuit Clerk of Court’s office said in announcing the event. 

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The attorney general will speak, as will Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, Circuit Court Judge Matthew W. Hoffman, Clerk of Circuit Court Angela Reason and Molly Newton, president of the Greater Peninsula Women’s Bar Association. 

Published On: May 15, 2026

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