Justice Department Sues Virginia and California to Overturn Firearm Restrictions

The Justice Department filed lawsuits Wednesday against Virginia and California challenging state restrictions on certain firearms as violations of the Second Amendment. The suit against Virginia targets a law that bans the commercial purchase and sale of AR-15-style rifles.

The Justice Department described the AR-15 as the most popular rifle in the United States and said the law deprives citizens of a constitutional right.

In California the suit challenges a new law that took effect July 1 and restricts sales of firearms that could be modified into machinegun-convertible pistols. It also seeks to halt enforcement of the state's Glock ban and its Handgun Roster. Acting U.S.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Constitution is not a suggestion and that the Second Amendment is a sacred right belonging to all Americans. The announcements come one day after the Supreme Court said it will consider in the next term whether the Second Amendment guarantees the right to have AR-15-style rifles.

In two separate rulings last month the Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii law restricting guns on certain private property and sided with a Texas man challenging a federal ban on firearm possession by some drug users.