The Virginia legislature passed a bill Monday banning the sale and transfer of AR-15-style rifles and other semiautomatic firearms, along with magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition.

The legislation, known as SB 749, prohibits importing, selling, purchasing, or transferring what the bill defines as “prohibited firearms.” Violations would be treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law.

In addition to restricting certain rifles, the bill also bans a number of semiautomatic shotguns and some semiautomatic centerfire pistols. It further limits the sale or transfer of magazines that exceed the 15-round capacity threshold specified in the statute.

The measure now heads to the desk of Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, who will decide whether to sign the legislation into law. If approved, the restrictions would take effect July 1, 2026.

Republican lawmakers opposed the proposal, arguing the measure targets law-abiding gun owners rather than criminals.

State Sen. Mark Obenshain, a Republican, described SB 749 as “one of the more extreme bills that is gonna pass this year.”

“The people who are gonna obey this law, they’re gonna be the law-abiders,” Obenshain said. “They’re not gonna be the people who engage in the mass shootings or other criminal conduct.”

Supporters of the bill have argued that the restrictions are intended to reduce gun violence by limiting access to certain high-capacity firearms and magazines. The debate reflects a broader national divide over gun policy as states continue to pursue different approaches to firearm regulation.