Assault Weapons Bans Hit Hard: 11 States (Including Virginia’s New 2026 Rules) Lock Down Semi-Autos

Gun laws in the United States rarely stay still for long. Over the past few years, several states have tightened restrictions on certain semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and magazines commonly labeled as “assault weapons.” The definitions vary widely, but the pattern is similar: lawmakers restrict specific features, magazine capacity, or entire categories of firearms.

If you travel, hunt, or compete across state lines, those differences matter more than ever. A rifle that’s perfectly legal in one state may be restricted the moment you cross the border. Some states prohibit sales but allow possession, while others require registration or grandfathering. With new proposals surfacing in places like Virginia for 2026, the legal landscape keeps shifting. Understanding where these rules apply can save you from serious trouble and help you plan accordingly. 

California

California has one of the longest-running assault weapon bans in the country. The state first adopted restrictions in 1989 and later expanded them with additional feature-based definitions and magazine limits. The rules focus heavily on semiautomatic rifles with certain characteristics such as detachable magazines combined with pistol grips, flash suppressors, or folding stocks.

For you as a gun owner, compliance often means using “featureless” configurations or fixed-magazine setups to stay legal. Even experienced shooters find the rules confusing because the state updates definitions and enforcement standards over time. Owning or transferring a newly prohibited firearm without meeting registration or compliance requirements can bring significant legal consequences, so California remains one of the strictest environments for modern semiautomatic rifles.

New York

New York’s SAFE Act dramatically expanded the state’s assault weapon restrictions in 2013. The law tightened definitions and limited magazines to ten rounds while also banning certain combinations of features on semiautomatic rifles.

For shooters living in or traveling through New York, the SAFE Act changed how rifles are configured and transported. Many rifles that once fit the traditional sporting rifle category now require modification or replacement to comply with state law. Registration rules also apply to certain firearms that were grandfathered when the law passed. These requirements continue to shape how gun owners purchase and maintain semiautomatic rifles throughout the state.

New Jersey

New Jersey maintains one of the most comprehensive lists of banned firearms in the country. The state prohibits specific models along with rifles that meet certain feature combinations, which means many popular semiautomatic platforms fall under the restriction.

Magazine limits are also tightly controlled, reducing capacity to ten rounds for most civilian firearms. That affects both rifles and pistols, forcing owners to modify equipment or purchase compliant magazines. If you’re bringing firearms into the state for competition or travel, understanding the detailed restrictions is critical because the list of prohibited models and features remains extensive compared to most other states.

Connecticut

Connecticut expanded its assault weapon laws after the 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy. The state added new definitions covering many semiautomatic rifles and magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds.

For gun owners, the law required registration of previously owned firearms that fit the updated definition. New purchases that fall within those categories are heavily restricted. While possession of grandfathered rifles remains possible under strict guidelines, new sales are tightly controlled. As a result, shooters in Connecticut often rely on modified or compliant rifle configurations to stay within the boundaries of state law.

Maryland

Maryland restricts a large list of semiautomatic rifles under its Firearm Safety Act. Many well-known models are banned by name, and other rifles are restricted based on design features.

The law also requires licensing and additional background checks for certain firearms purchases. That combination creates a layered regulatory system affecting how rifles are bought, owned, and transferred. Courts have repeatedly reviewed the law, but it continues to remain in place for now. If you spend time shooting or hunting in Maryland, the rifle you bring matters more than you might expect.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts enforces a strict version of the federal assault weapons ban that expired nationwide in 2004. The state essentially froze those rules into its own law, keeping restrictions on certain semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines.

Recent court rulings have continued to uphold the state’s authority to enforce the ban despite ongoing challenges. For gun owners, that means rifles and magazines must meet specific compliance standards. Even small configuration changes can determine whether a firearm qualifies as legal under the state’s interpretation of the law. 

Washington

Washington passed a sweeping ban on the sale, manufacture, and import of many semiautomatic rifles in recent years. The law focuses primarily on AR-15-style rifles and other firearms with military-style features.

One key detail is that the law targets sales and transfers rather than possession. If you already owned a qualifying firearm before the ban took effect, you may still keep it under certain conditions. However, buying new ones within the state is largely prohibited. That distinction has significantly reshaped the firearms market in Washington.

Illinois

Illinois enacted the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which prohibits the sale and distribution of certain semiautomatic rifles, high-capacity magazines, and related components. The law also introduced registration requirements for firearms covered under the ban. 

The legislation sparked intense legal challenges and debate among gun owners and state officials. Courts have reviewed the law multiple times, with different rulings appearing at various stages of litigation. Despite those challenges, the law remains a major factor shaping firearm ownership across Illinois, particularly for owners of rifles commonly used in sport shooting and home defense.

Delaware

Delaware joined the list of states with an assault weapon ban in recent years. The law prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession of certain semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than a specified number of rounds.

For gun owners in Delaware, the restrictions mainly target rifles with particular features combined with detachable magazines. Existing firearms owned before the ban may be allowed under grandfather provisions, but new purchases are limited. This change significantly altered the market for modern sporting rifles within the state.

Hawaii

Hawaii maintains strict firearm regulations, including limits on certain semiautomatic rifles and magazines. The state’s geographic isolation already shapes firearm ownership, and the assault weapon restrictions add another layer.

Magazine capacity limits and registration rules are tightly enforced, and transportation regulations also apply. For residents, acquiring compliant firearms usually involves careful attention to the state’s detailed definitions. The laws emphasize control over features and magazine capacity, affecting how rifles and pistols are configured throughout the islands.

Virginia (Proposed 2026 Rules)

Virginia has historically allowed ownership of many semiautomatic rifles, but lawmakers have pushed new restrictions that could take effect in 2026. Recent proposals include bans on the sale, transfer, and import of certain semiautomatic firearms and large-capacity magazines. 

If enacted, the legislation would significantly reshape firearm ownership in the state. The rules would target rifles commonly owned by sport shooters and recreational marksmen, while creating new compliance requirements for buyers and sellers. Because the law is still tied to legislative action and implementation timelines, Virginia gun owners are watching closely as the debate continues and the potential rules approach their planned start date.