News Releases

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

Successfully defends life-saving background check law, announces plans to hold firearm industry accountable, and joins fight against federal abuse of power 

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jones this week won a major case that will protect a life-saving measure in the fight against gun violence, shared how his office will hold bad actors in the firearm industry accountable, and spoke up against continued abuses of power from the federal government. 

Protecting Virginians 

Attorney General Jay Jones secured a victory that will put the Commonwealth back on a path to protecting Virginians, with the Lynchburg Circuit Court ruling to dissolve an injunction that blocked background checks on the private sales of firearms. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones welcomed legislators, law enforcement officers, gun violence prevention advocates, and members of the community to discuss the importance of Virginia’s firearm industry accountability law going into effect July 1.     

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Secures Victory in Lynchburg Circuit Court; Background Checks on Private Firearm Sales to Resume July 1    

“For too long, communities across the Commonwealth have lived in fear and been tormented by grief and loss as the result of preventable gun violence. This is especially true for Black and Brown communities who experience gun violence at a disproportionate rate. Background checks keep guns out of dangerous hands and save lives,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “My predecessor’s refusal to defend Virginia’s life-saving law was shameful and it put the safety of our communities at risk. The Court’s decision today rights that wrong and puts the Commonwealth back on a path of protecting Virginians and stemming the tide of gun violence in our communities.”   

Cardinal News: Background checks for private firearm sales to resume July 1 

A Lynchburg judge cleared the way for the reinstatement of background checks for the private sale of firearms on Wednesday after a legal back and forth that had halted the checks off and on since October.  

Background checks for the private sale of firearms will resume on July 1. 

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Yeatts read his opinion, which agreed with Attorney General Jay Jones’ request to dissolve the injunction, into the record from the bench on Wednesday. The ruling has effectively allowed the enactment of HB 1525, which directs the state police to conduct background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms.   

Virginia Scope: Injunction to be dissolved against background checks for private gun sales 

A Lynchburg Circuit Court judge has ruled that an injunction blocking background checks for private gun sales in Virginia will be dissolved next week, ending a legal fight of on-again, off-again background checks. 

The judge ruled from the bench on Wednesday that he agreed with the attorney’s general argument and the injunction will be dissolved on July 1. 

The permanent injunction was put into place last year by the judge in a lawsuit against the 2020 law that required Virginia State Police to conduct background checks for private gun sales. 

The General Assembly passed new legislation earlier this year that accomplished the same goal by requiring anyone who purchases a gun to be 21-years-old. Previously, it was legal to purchase a handgun privately at 18-years-old. Federal law prohibited licensed dealers from selling handguns to anyone under 21. 

The new legislation also included language directing VSP to conduct background checks to ensure this law is enforced.

WCYB: VA court dissolves injunction blocking background checks on private sale of firearms 

The Lynchburg Circuit Court ruled on Wednesday to dissolve the injunction blocking background checks on the private sale of firearms. 

Attorney General Jay Jones called this a major victory for gun violence prevention efforts and the public safety of Virginia. 

CBS19: Judge dissolves gun injunction 

A Lynchburg judge dissolved an injunction that would have prevented a new, universal background check law from taking effect in Virginia. 

This means that, as of July 1, people will be required to pass a background check before buying a gun in the state. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Holds Press Conference on Firearm Industry Accountability Legislation   

“Public safety isn’t a privilege reserved for a select few. Every Virginian deserves to feel safe, and this law is going to make our communities safer,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Accountability is the bedrock of our legal system, and firearm industry actors who are negligent and cause harm through unlawful or irresponsible practices will be held accountable by this office. Every victim, every loved one left behind, every neighborhood, deserves justice and this office will always be in service to the people of our Commonwealth.”   

WCYB: Virginia attorney general highlights new firearm industry accountability law 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones held a press conference Monday to discuss new firearm industry accountability legislation signed into law this spring. 

Jones said Virginia’s new Firearm Industry Accountability Law is designed to help keep communities safe and hold people accountable. "Safety is not a privilege that is reserved for a select few. It is a right that belongs to every Virginian,” Jones said. “We know that gun violence takes a toll on all of our families, our communities and futures.” 

Jones said the law creates new standards for gun companies and requires firearm industry members to put safeguards in place to help prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands. 

The law includes measures aimed at preventing illegal sales and gun trafficking. 

“Dealers who look the other way during straw purchases, dealers who have failed to prevent theft, dealers who have failed to follow basic safeguards designed to keep guns out of dangerous hands,” Jones said. 

WSET: New accountability law for firearm businesses takes effect in Virginia 

A new Virginia law aimed at holding firearm businesses accountable is now moving into the enforcement phase. 

On Monday, Attorney General Jay Jones announced how his office plans to enforce the new law. It targets violations like illegal sales and businesses that fail to follow required safeguards. 

Supporters say it gives the state more accountability tools, but legal challenges could come. 

The Center Square: Virginia attorney general details firearm law enforcement 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said Monday his office will begin enforcing the firearm industry accountability law when it takes effect July 1, saying it gives the state new tools to pursue firearm businesses that break the law. 

Speaking at a Richmond press conference on Monday ahead of implementation on Wednesday of next week, Jones said the law allows the Office of the Attorney General to investigate alleged violations, seek court orders and bring civil lawsuits against firearm manufacturers, distributors and dealers that fail to meet standards established under state law. 

“This legislation represents a significant step forward in protecting the public, promoting responsible practices and enhancing public safety,” Jones said. “Accountability is not a radical idea. Accountability makes up the foundation of our legal system.” 

Jones said the law is aimed at businesses that break the law, not responsible gun owners or firearms dealers that follow it. 

WAVY: New gun legislation is coming to VA in July 

Attorney General Jay Jones spoke Monday morning about Virginia’s new accountability law for guns. This bill, HB21/ SB27, will set standards of conduct for firearm dealers and will require the firearm industry to maintain control of the sale of firearms.  

“We know that gun violence takes its toll on all of our families, our communities, and our futures. It steals lives. It leaves empty seats at dinner tables. It devastates neighborhoods,” said the attorney general.  

The Office of the Attorney General says Virginia has taken a significant step by enacting legislation to hold firearm industry members accountable for harmful practices. 

WVTF: In wake of SCOTUS ruling, Virginia AG Jones pledges to enforce new firearm manufacturer liability law  

The U.S. Supreme Court is known to support second amendment rights. But a decision last week is backing Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones’ effort to enforce a new firearm law. 

“Again, this is about public safety, this is about accountability,” Jones said from the entrance of the Barbara Johns building Monday morning, defending a new law that creates standards of responsible conduct for gun sellers and makers, and allows his office to file suit if violations occur. 

Richmond Times Dispatch: New Va law gives AG authority to investigate firearm dealers suspected of impropriety  

Firearm dealers and manufacturers in Virginia will next month be subject to a court injunction and civil penalties if they violate the state’s new standards of responsible conduct for gun industry members. 

The new rules require industry members to implement business practices aimed at preventing giving a gun to a firearm trafficker, someone who is at risk of using a gun to harm someone, or a “straw purchaser” – someone who legally buys a gun to give it to someone who is prohibited from owning a gun. 

“I intend to use this new authority to seek justice for every community in Virginia that has been impacted by this issue,” said Attorney General Jay Jones at a press conference Monday morning in downtown Richmond. “This law reflects a simple principle: when gun industry actors act negligently and cause harm through irresponsible or unlawful practices, they should be held accountable.” 

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“This is not about shutting down responsible Virginia businesses who follow the law and take seriously their responsibility to keep guns out of the wrong hands,” Jones said. “This law … is about addressing a small number of bad actors whose negligent practices help fuel violence in our communities.” 

Highlights New Laws 

Attorney General Jay Jones sat down with NBC12’s Henry Graff to talk about the new laws taking effect on July 1. AG Jones also highlighted the new authorities granted to the Office of the Attorney General and shared how the OAG will leverage these new authorities to keep Virginians safe, lower costs, and protect fundamental rights.    

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Highlights New Laws Going into Effect July 1   

“From being empowered to hold bad actors in the firearm industry accountable, to strengthening the consumer protections that will keep Virginians safe and go after unscrupulous corporations leveraging deceptive practices to pad their pockets during a cost crisis burdening hardworking families, this office is ready to enforce the slate of laws taking effect on July 1,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “These laws reflect what matters to the people of the Commonwealth – safe communities, combating the cost crisis, and fighting back as federal overreach threatens our rights. This office will keep listening to the people it serves and enforcing the laws on the books.”    

Continues Fighting Federal Overreach  

Attorney General Jay Jones joined a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Florida to evaluate the “settlement” agreement in Trump v. IRS, which would allow President Trump to skirt accountability for his illegal actions. Also, this week, Attorney General Jones reaffirmed his commitment to protecting reproductive rights for all, on the anniversary of the devasting Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Supreme Court decision. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Condemns Unprecedented Misuse of Legal System in Trump v. IRS   

“This proposed “settlement” is yet another appalling example of Donald Trump’s belief that he is above the law, and that his presidency allows him to evade accountability for his illegal actions,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The people of the Commonwealth are fed up with his schemes, and they are fed up with elected leaders who believe they are above the people they serve. This office will use every resource available to speak up for and act on behalf of Virginians, who deserve better than a president who only serves himself.”    

Virginia Mercury: Virginia joins challenge to Trump’s controversial IRS settlement 

Virginia Attorney Jay Jones joined a coalition of 22 Democratic attorneys general Wednesday urging a federal judge in Florida to closely examine a controversial settlement tied to President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, arguing the agreement raises serious constitutional and ethics concerns.  

The filing, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, asks the court to scrutinize what the coalition describes as a potentially “collusive” settlement between Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice in the case known as Trump v. IRS.  

The attorneys general argue the agreement would grant broad protections to Trump, his family and business interests while creating a proposed $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization” fund that the president’s critics say could steer taxpayer money toward Trump allies and others claiming they were unfairly targeted by the government.

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Reflects on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Supreme Court Decision 

"Four years ago, the constitutional right of women everywhere to make decisions about reproductive healthcare decisions with their medical providers was ripped away and left to states to regulate. In the wake of that decision, we have seen conservative state after conservative state across the nation not only ban access to reproductive health care, but also threaten to jail and sanction medical professionals who provide medical care to their patients. In fact, Virginia is the only southern state in the nation without a post-Dobbs ban on abortion.  

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In November, Virginia voters will have the opportunity to vote in favor of a constitutional amendment to enshrine reproductive rights into our constitution. I am confident Virginia will remain a crucial access point for women’s healthcare, and my office will leverage every legal tool at our disposal to protect these freedoms.” 

Celebrates Juneteenth 

Over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, freedom finally came to the enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth is a reminder that no one is free until everyone is free. This office will remain relentless in the fight to reach the American ideal of “freedom for all” and to ultimately create a better, more equitable, America.