The Silver Lining in New Mexico’s and Virginia’s Current Move to Ban ‘Assault Weapons’

February 16, 2026
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In the latest chapter of America's endless gun control saga, New Mexico and Virginia are ramping up their pushes for so-called assault weapon bans, but here's the silver lining: these moves could inadvertently supercharge the pro-2A cultural renaissance. While politicians in Santa Fe and Richmond dust off their ban bills—echoing failed efforts in states like California and New York—the real decider isn't legislative momentum, but whether firearms culture keeps surging in popularity and whether courts finally draw a line in the sand. Think about it: AR-15s aren't just rifles anymore; they're cultural icons, starring in everything from viral TikTok builds to Hollywood blockbusters, with sales exploding among women, minorities, and urban millennials. NSSF data shows modern sporting rifles outselling traditional hunting rifles 2-to-1, and Gallup polls confirm handgun ownership hitting record highs. These bans aren't stemming the tide—they're pouring gasoline on it, turning everyday carriers into vocal advocates. The context here is crystal clear: post-Bruen, the Supreme Court's 2022 smackdown of may-issue permitting has courts striking down restrictions left and right, from Illinois' FOID card renewals to Maryland's mag bans. New Mexico's HB 99 and Virginia's creeping post-election threats (despite Youngkin's veto history) are ripe for the same fate—likely Heller 2.0 challenges that could gut assault weapon definitions nationwide. Remember how California's ban survived pre-Bruen only on grandfathered loopholes? That's crumbling now, with federal judges in the 5th and 6th Circuits already signaling skepticism. For the 2A community, this is a gift: it forces normalization of black rifles at ranges, in ads, and on social media, while bleeding anti-gun groups dry on legal fees. GOA and FPC are geared up, filing preemptive suits that spotlight how these bans ignore historical traditions—ARs trace to 18th-century battle rifles, not some mythical war on cops boogeyman. Implications? Massive. If courts intervene decisively, we get nationwide precedent protecting semi-autos, crushing the slippery slope to handgun bans. Even if delayed, the cultural pushback—think packed NRA Annual Meetings and surging NFA item waits—builds unbreakable momentum. Gun owners aren't cowering; we're thriving, with 40% of households armed and ownership demographics diversifying faster than ever. New Mexico and Virginia's gambit isn't a threat—it's a rallying cry. Stock up, train up, and watch the dominoes fall. The Second Amendment isn't just holding; it's expanding.

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In the latest chapter of America’s endless gun control saga, New Mexico and Virginia are ramping up their pushes for so-called assault weapon bans, but here’s the silver lining: these moves could inadvertently supercharge the pro-2A cultural renaissance. While politicians in Santa Fe and Richmond dust off their ban bills—echoing failed efforts in states like California and New York—the real decider isn’t legislative momentum, but whether firearms culture keeps surging in popularity and whether courts finally draw a line in the sand. Think about it: AR-15s aren’t just rifles anymore; they’re cultural icons, starring in everything from viral TikTok builds to Hollywood blockbusters, with sales exploding among women, minorities, and urban millennials. NSSF data shows modern sporting rifles outselling traditional hunting rifles 2-to-1, and Gallup polls confirm handgun ownership hitting record highs. These bans aren’t stemming the tide—they’re pouring gasoline on it, turning everyday carriers into vocal advocates.

The context here is crystal clear: post-Bruen, the Supreme Court’s 2022 smackdown of may-issue permitting has courts striking down restrictions left and right, from Illinois’ FOID card renewals to Maryland’s mag bans. New Mexico’s HB 99 and Virginia’s creeping post-election threats (despite Youngkin’s veto history) are ripe for the same fate—likely Heller 2.0 challenges that could gut assault weapon definitions nationwide. Remember how California’s ban survived pre-Bruen only on grandfathered loopholes? That’s crumbling now, with federal judges in the 5th and 6th Circuits already signaling skepticism. For the 2A community, this is a gift: it forces normalization of black rifles at ranges, in ads, and on social media, while bleeding anti-gun groups dry on legal fees. GOA and FPC are geared up, filing preemptive suits that spotlight how these bans ignore historical traditions—ARs trace to 18th-century battle rifles, not some mythical war on cops boogeyman.

Implications? Massive. If courts intervene decisively, we get nationwide precedent protecting semi-autos, crushing the slippery slope to handgun bans. Even if delayed, the cultural pushback—think packed NRA Annual Meetings and surging NFA item waits—builds unbreakable momentum. Gun owners aren’t cowering; we’re thriving, with 40% of households armed and ownership demographics diversifying faster than ever. New Mexico and Virginia’s gambit isn’t a threat—it’s a rallying cry. Stock up, train up, and watch the dominoes fall. The Second Amendment isn’t just holding; it’s expanding.

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