Smart Girl Politics: Spanberger Drops BOMB on Virginia Gun Owners | Guest: Cam Edwards
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In this episode of Smart Girl Politics, host Terry Christophe welcomes Cam Edwards, Grand Poobah at Bearing Arms, to dissect Governor Abigail Spanberger's controversial decision to veto the Virginia assault weapons ban and send it back to the General Assembly with expanded restrictions. Spanberger avoided signing the bill by proposing changes that make it more restrictive—particularly by redefining assault firearms to include any centerfire rifle or pistol with a magazine capacity exceeding 15 rounds, which would criminalize common firearms like the Glock 17. The episode explores how this move, while avoiding immediate headlines, escalates gun control efforts through a public carrying ban and a new gun storage mandate requiring inaccessible storage for minors. Edwards argues these measures are arbitrary, legally questionable under Heller and Bruin, and part of a broader pattern of incremental gun confiscation. He emphasizes the importance of voting, especially in the upcoming redistricting referendum, and urges gun owners to join advocacy groups, engage in litigation, and even take liberals to the shooting range to challenge misconceptions. Despite Northern Virginia's progressive shift, Edwards remains hopeful that rural Virginia and moderate voters will push back against overreach, and he stresses that staying and fighting is more effective than fleeing the state.
Governor Spanberger sent the assault weapons bill back with worse restrictions, redefining assault firearms based on magazine capacity over 15 rounds—potentially criminalizing common handguns like the Glock 17.
The proposed ban on public carrying of firearms and mandatory gun storage for minors could lead to misdemeanor charges and jail time, even for law-abiding gun owners.
Anti-gun legislation in Virginia is part of a broader, incremental strategy that starts with sales bans and moves toward possession bans, mirroring patterns seen in states like Rhode Island.
Litigation is expected from both federal and state courts, with the DOJ already signaling intent to challenge the law, and gun rights groups like the Virginia Citizens Defense League urging members to stay active even if relocating.
Long-term strategy includes engaging liberals through education—taking them to the range and making a progressive case for the Second Amendment to erode support for gun control on the left.
Introducing Cam Edwards and the Virginia Gun Debate
Host Terry Christophe introduces Cam Edwards, Grand Poobah at Bearing Arms and host of Cam & Company, to discuss the political and legal fallout from Governor Abigail Spanberger’s handling of Virginia’s assault weapons ban.
Spanberger’s Veto and the Expanded Definition of 'Assault Firearms'
“If you're carrying a Glock 17, which comes standard with a 17-round magazine, that would be considered an assault firearm under Governor Spanberger's proposal.”
The Legal and Practical Implications of the New Restrictions
“You're committing a crime if you want to carry an ordinary semi-automatic pistol from the most commonly sold handguns in America, if you have a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds.”
The Historical and Legal Context of Magazine Bans
Edwards argues that magazine capacity restrictions are modern, arbitrary, and unsupported by historical tradition or Supreme Court precedent, noting that repeating firearms have existed for over a century without bans.
The Broader Threat: Ghost Guns, Storage Mandates, and Political Strategy
“Even if you've taught your kids, you raised them right, you've got a 16-, 17-year-old at home, you want them to have access to a firearm just in case, God forbid, somebody breaks in, you can't do that as a parent under this legislation.”
“Even if you've taught your kids, you raised them right, you've got a 16-, 17-year-old at home, you want them to have access to a firearm just in case, God forbid, somebody breaks in, you can't do that as a parent under this legislation.”
“You're committing a crime if you want to carry an ordinary semi-automatic pistol from the most commonly sold handguns in America, if you have a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds.”
“I don't begrudge anybody who's leaving. I mean, where I live, this is supposed to be my forever home. You know, I've buried my wife. I've buried my son here. I don't want to leave.”
Host
Guest
Cam Edwards
person
Abigail Spanberger
person
Terry Christophe
person
Bearing Arms
organization
Virginia General Assembly
organization
Supreme Court
organization
Virginia Citizens Defense League
organization
Redistricting Referendum
other
West Virginia
place
Red State
organization
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