The Virginia State Police has been accused of intentionally slowing down background checks in response to a recent court ruling blocking a sweeping "assault weapons" ban in Richmond. The ban, enacted by Democrats in the state legislature, was set to take effect but was temporarily blocked by a judge due to concerns over its constitutionality.
The issue has sparked an uproar, with critics accusing state police of backdoor-enforcing the law while it is litigated. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon has responded that her office is "all over this" case and other instances of "gun-grabbing nonsense nationally." Joined by Gun Owners of America, a Virginia resident is suing to block the new law, which imposes criminal penalties for selling or purchasing "assault firearm[s]."
FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson has also weighed in, sharing his experience of encountering an "en masse" delay in background checks after visiting his local gun store. The checks are handled by the Virginia State Police, led by Col. Jeffrey Katz, who is both a Spanberger appointee and a defendant in the Lancaster case.
When asked about the allegation, VSP suggested there was no intentional slow-walking and pointed to a spike in applications over the past month. However, critics remain skeptical, with Philip Van Cleave of the Virginia Citizens Defense League stating that he is not convinced VSP is intentionally holding up background checks.
Another critic of the ban has pointed out a section of the Code of Virginia that appears to allow firearm transfers to proceed despite background check delays. If a dealer fulfills the requirements laid out by VSP but police do not respond within five business days, the dealer may complete the sale or transfer of the firearm without violating the law.
Attorney General Jay Jones has defended the ban, arguing that "gun violence is the key driver of violent crime in this commonwealth and nation, and assault weapons are designed intentionally to inflict maximum damage in a matter of seconds." However, critics argue that the ban is a sweeping violation of the Second Amendment.
The controversy has sparked debate over the balance between gun control and individual rights. The Virginia State Police's handling of background checks has become a focal point in the debate, with critics alleging that the police are intentionally slowing down the process to enforce the ban.
